Trees

Does it profit me to

Name all the trees as they

Pass by the windows?

Will you picture them better if I

Call them in Latin,

Or will you do just fine with

“Trees?”

What does it matter if they’re

Short or tall,

Svelte or stout or

Straight or bent,

Leaved or without,

Flowering in white and pink and purple and red,

Or with tiny unassuming yellow flowers

Hidden on the buds?

Does it matter if I mention

Lenticels and phloem,

Roots or branching patterns,

Bark textures and chlorophyll?

Do you even care for the

Fruits, seeds, pods, nuts or cones?

Reviews

[Mati]

This poem reminds of my adventures through the Redwoods in Arcata, California. I think my eyes are getting a little watery. Its nice to be reminded of that time. Thank you so much for sharing. I love your use of technical terms. I love horticulture.

[DaughterNature]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed! If you're looking for more poetry about plants, you can also check out my "Ivy"

[Cory Barrett]

I suppose it really comes down to who you are speaking to. Specificity on many single subjects is best suited for those who are already interested. I can sympathize with this poem, but from the subject of pastry. Most people don't care about the differing canalization points of: sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, lactose, etc. Yet they don't mind hearing why "caramel" (which is really an umbrella term), tastes so delicious.

Then we find those people who do care, and they make it worth all the while. But we will always need the people who just want a caramel, or to look at the pretty trees... They pay the bills.

[Coyote Poetry]

Good to name the trees. They are alive and ensuring we have fresh air to breathe. I enjoyed the poetry for the trees. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. and again a resounding yes!! this morning on our walk (me my dog and my youngest son) came upon a tree uprooted .. laying there in the yard was the biggest, longest root i have ever seen .. my son and i debated whether or not it was a root or the tree .. but upon closer examination it was surely a root .. at least 20 feet long cut on both ends .. and 12 inches in diameter .. call me crazy but we can testify to the trench it was pulled up from .. i love the trees DN and your expertise ..
E.

[DaughterNature]

Woo, that's some crazy taproot! Would love to see something that massive get pulled out, reminds us of the power of weather and the temerity of life!

[Einstein Noodle]

yes it does .. however this was done by human endeavor .. i am sure it was interfering with something ... love ya DN
E.

[DaughterNature]

Oh, ha, bummer

[James Walpole]

I can definitely relate to this poem, i love the structure of trees but never know the names, love it in winter when they show their skeletons an their distinctive patterns. Felt like the tree could have been bought to life more, like it's beauty, but still appreciated the sentiment of the piece.

[DaughterNature]

Thanks! I guess what I was trying to get at ties into your last comment. Basically, I'm an environmental educator, so I know lots about trees and birds and stuff. When I put the species names of birds or trees into my writing, I often wonder if it is of any value to the average reader, hence this poem. It's not supposed to be celebrating the poetic beauty of trees as seen by the average person, it's celebrating the beauty I see by know all their parts!

[James Walpole]

Ahhh i seeeee :)