The Poet Tree

Way out, on what was a barren plain

A tree has taken root,

Over the spot where a poet’s lain

It bears the strangest fruit,

He wasn’t read while he lived and wrote,

Was neglected till he died,

But scribbled each verse like a private note

That he hugged to him in pride.

He lived in a garret, quite alone

And without a loving mate,

His heart would leap at each lovely girl

As she passed his garden gate,

But far too shy to invite them in

He could only sit and stare,

And think each time of what could have been

If he’d chanced to step out there.

But love still flowed from his poet’s pen

Though he had no-one to care,

He captured it from the universe

And he wrote it everywhere,

He left it piled in his gloomy den

When he took sick of the ride,

Turned his eyes to heaven again,

Gave up the ghost, and died.

They didn’t know what to do with it,

This love from a poet’s pen,

So placed it in the coffin with him

These shallow, heartless men,

Buried him out on a barren plain

Where nothing ever grew,

But marked the spot by planting there

A tree, namely, a Yew.

It’s twenty years since poetry was

Planted there, unread,

Alongside in the coffin with

The poet, newly dead,

But on the tree that proudly stands

With its roots entwined in love,

Each leaf reveals a verse or two

Fluttering from above.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Jane Winters Rogers]

Oh My!!! I love this poem, I cried, what an inside view of a beautiful poets soul!! I just love it the depth of emotions they rocked my soul, I am in awe of your loving power....Never ever stop writing...the world is better because you remain here writing.....Thank you so much...

[A Soap Mess Stories]

A touching tale. Lovely read.

[andrew mitchell]

Review others or forget it David! Its not all about you David sorry to say, you have to get involved or don't send requests!!!

[AlieahRose]

Beautiful words about a beautiful craft. You always find a way to make sorrow appealing in a way that does not take away from the overall message.

[Tate Morgan]

Well done David somewhat different from your others. I like it

[Mica Morgan]

I absolutely love the concluding image. That was beautiful!!

[Lyndy]

I love this poem, it's really touching. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

The poem is amazing my friend. It is sad when good words are forgotten. I liked the use of the tree and his lasting memory. Thank you David for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Valentine]

This gave me the chills. One of your sweetest writes so far. Valentine

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A beautiful rendition of emotion and pounded inheritance. Well done, good read.

[Rigu]

This is really very beautiful...!