Autumn Tree, for voice, cello, and piano by Ron Anderson

This is a piece I composed for voice, cello, and piano.

Artists on this recording are:
Judy Tran, mezzo soprano
Trina Carey Hodgson, cello
Ron Anderson, piano

The text of the poem (also composed by me) is given below:

AUTUMN TREE

Sad autumn hangs from every tree;
Her trembling leaves will surely fall.
The forest floor is waiting here
To take them all.

The sky’s foreboding auburn light
Portends the end of desperate day.
Then, dark descends the ruthless night
To tear the lingering leaves away.

Brittle fingers that grasp in vain
At wrinkled flesh of crumbling leaves,
New offspring you shall hold again,

But this poor child may only find
Some hope of life beyond these trees;
Borne to Heaven
On whirling wind!

Restore the spring with healing hand;
Let life resound through all the land!
Soon! Soon!

But, as seasons in turn must go,
We know that winter first must pass.
And this poor tree must suffer now—
‘Till the springtime returns at last.