The sycamore by Hans van den Bos

Original title: Acer pseudoplatanus - English translation: Hilary Reynolds 

The sycamore
           ( died 27^th. April, 2026)

Corvus f. frugilegus
A Western Rook in a ashtree
(photo © Hans van den Bos)

I read once about Japanese gardens
That a garden needs a backdrop.
Mountains, hills, trees, shrubs and buildings
In the surroundings are important for a garden.
At the south side of our garden stood
A nearly 30 metre high sycamore tree,
That gave a magnificent background
To the smaller trees and shrubs in our garden.
 
On the emerald isle, farmers in particular
Have a distinct dislike of old trees.
They could fall on cars during a storm,
They keep the grass from growing in their shadow,
They block the view and lose their leaves
That then have to be cleared away.
And… in tall trees are often colonies
Of rooks, the detested scavengers on this island.
 
Ah…, in the twenty-five years I have been living in Ireland
I have seen many trees felled or decapitated.
Also this sycamore had to face it,
Chainsaws felled him to the ground.
The rooks’ protests, watching their brood fatally falling
Were completely ignored.
 
It is illegal to cut hedges or trees
During the birds’ breeding season.
At least according to Irish law,
But a good acquaintance in the civil service,
Or a well-filled envelope for instance
Can work wonders.