Herengracht bridge wears shawl of grey
Winter fog holds canal in sway
A can rests on the parapet
Oxidized mouth sings quiet yet
Iron heart beats slow in winter mist
Copper dreams of spring where canals twist
Taxus baccata knows the wait is long
Ferrous bloom will rise from rusted song
Quercus robur sleeps in Vondelpark
Roots drink deep where clay is dark
The can remembers summer's rain
When roots drank deep and drank again
Iron heart beats slow in winter mist
Copper dreams of spring where canals twist
Taxus baccata knows the wait is long
Ferrous bloom will rise from rusted song
Iron oxide coats the copper skin
A patina map where months have been
Each flake a record each stain a line
Like growth rings in a pine design
Iron heart beats slow in winter mist
Copper dreams of spring where canals twist
Taxus baccata knows the wait is long
Ferrous bloom will rise from rusted song
No hand has gripped the wooden handle
Since autumn left the window mantle
But dormancy is not defeat
It's strategy wrapped in cold and sleet
The flute sings counterpoint to harpsichord
While cello hums a subterranean word
Violin traces frost on cobblestone
The can awaits its season to be known
Soon the sun will breach the overcast
And winter's grip will loose at last
The can will tilt the water flow
To wake the roots that wait below
Iron heart beats slow in winter mist
Copper dreams of spring where canals twist
Taxus baccata knows the wait is long
Ferrous bloom will rise from rusted song
Ferrous bloom in Herengracht
Rust becomes the flower's art
