Trees
(for an October prompt)
Tolkien liked trees
Robin Hood, too;
Tinkerbell and Tiger Lily,
I imagine,
Providing shelter
And playing fields
For lost boys
I like trees
Two of these peaked
High like towers from
The wide suburban plain
Of the backyard,
Splindly reaching toward
A clouded sky on
A Pittsburgh summer day
There was wind
At night, and upon the
Morning in the yard
One tree had fallen
Large across the lawn,
Tall on the ground
Sibling standing over
As if to demonstrate their
Name,
Weeping willow
For many days
I had climbed into the
Guard now dying,
Onto a lumbered platform
That my father built
That lay square among
Round branches
Inside uprooted, plodding
Blocks
Of grass
First time for me
With something monstrous
So close, so wrong
C L Couch
October 21, 2016 at 11:31 am
Beautiful poem, very moving… there is always something noble when it comes to trees… no wonder why some people believe that if you want to leave a legacy you need to have a son, write a book and plant a a tree.
October 21, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Thank you for your response! I agree; trees are noble. Even the smaller ones bear majesty. Since trees are in our care, they are legacy as well.
October 23, 2016 at 1:21 am
I love your poetic wording and the story you tell here Christopher. It seemed as a boy you very much liked those two trees, had a tree-house there. The large tree falling in the storm was an act of God, but to the boy in you, feels somehow wrong. As you say “so close to wrong.” For me to the boy, this feels more like carnage of war, of the storm. I enjoyed all your references to trees in literature and fairytale as well. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Disney Cartoon Movie ‘Pocahontas’ but there is a great tree in that movie. I also think of the trees in the movie ‘Avatar.’
October 23, 2016 at 8:25 pm
I saw the movie and that tree! You’re right, those two trees were important to me, especially the one of them I climbed to set myself on the treehouse floor. The word “carnage” rings true to my feeling, though I hadn’t thought of that before. I’m thankful for the way the poem comes across to you!
October 23, 2016 at 9:07 pm
Hi Christopher. I nominated you for the three quotes, three days challenge. If you’d like to participate see here:
https://mandibelle16.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/three-quotes-three-days-challenge-quotes/
October 24, 2016 at 1:43 am
Thank you, Amanda!
October 23, 2016 at 8:57 am
love how you tell a story poetically, brother. your words are great so as the trees you love during your childhood. i feel you in every word. 🙂
October 23, 2016 at 8:26 pm
Goodness, sister, I’m delighted in the way this story appeals to you.
October 24, 2016 at 12:39 am
i am glad i delighted you! 😉