[T.S. Kerrigan]

I would have to say that so far this seems to me head and shoulders above the rest.

[A. E. Stallings]

Perhaps a little mannered at the beginning, this has a lovely song-like quality that wins you over. I could imagine its being set to music.

[David Anthony]

I think N, in his autumn years, is mourning his losses, both past and anticipated. The imminent losses are the hardest to bear: so brave, and so few are left.
The title implies untimely loss, since the Scots reserve that lament for the funerals of those who die early.
N is also grieving for himself, I suppose.

I'm grateful to everybody for their encouraging and insightful comments. Especial thanks to Cathy for her careful and brilliant exegesis.

Best regards,

David

[John Beaton]

David, here's a quote from Wiki on "Flowers Of The Forest":

due to the content of the lyrics and the reverence for the tune, it is one of the few tunes that many pipers will only perform at funerals or memorial services, and only practiced in private or to instruct other pipers.

I learned that song in my bedroom from a tartan-clad book of Scottish songs given to a relative of my mother's, according to the inscription, in 1906. So I was titularly hard on this poem.

But I included it in my top three anyway because it's beautiful. Cathy's commentary really brought it to life. Especially on "soldier roses". That's the sort of touch that makes a poem a poem.

Good poetry has no borders. May your garden flourish.

John

[Carol Trese]

John,
These kind of responses make me brave this place.
Thanks.

[David Anthony]

Thanks John,
That was indeed the reason I chose the title.
I don't usually comment on the interpretation of my poems, since they must speak for themselves; but I thought on this occasion an author perspective might be of interest.
Best regards,
David