The Malus sylvestris sleeps
Cold winter shadow it keeps
The soil is frozen and grey
The sun hides the end of the day
Buffing the rust from the leather
Holding the winter together
Slow steady motion and light
Bringing the glow to the night
Old leather black as the peat
Rhythmic and steady the beat
Hands worn and rough as the bark
Working until it gets dark
The Prunus grows in a row
Hiding beneath all the snow
Patiently waiting for spring
Until the first meadowlarks sing
Buffing the rust from the leather
Holding the winter together
Slow steady motion and light
Bringing the glow to the night
A touch of warmth in the cold
Stories that never were told
Iron and oil on the skin
Where the new memories begin
The loam is heavy and deep
While all the apple trees sleep
Sanding the surface so clean
The finest finish I have seen
Buffing the rust from the leather
Holding the winter together
Slow steady motion and light
Bringing the glow to the night
Buffing the rust away
Buffing the rust away
The leather glows in the grey
