who rules the forest

the trees are not asleep but shiver in the cold
eyes catch the varied greens in clear sunlight
we've long hours to go before return of night
the brightness calls on us to be brave and bold
and yet on such a day i can't help feeling old
it's not enough to be awake one must also fight
the war of contrasts makes it hard to see the right
the story we've heard was not what was told
so here with books and thoughts i sit afraid
there's much to do and it must this day be done
my mind turns over thinking through all ends
the grass next door is green for it's been sprayed
it seems so bright beneath this wintry sun
while the thermometer shows slight upward trends