Defences.

Defences.

 

Why do they stubbornly stand to be blasted ?
Too early knarled,
painfully bent yet bravely alive.
their ironised knuckles 
bear marks of much struggle to stay upright..
How do they do it I ask ?

 

Fine webs of under-ground lace hold fast
tightly on rock's granite face.
Fragile white rootlings mock weak
       yielding to looming tempest               
for their death-tight, strong-as-steel 
cling to outright success
means seedlings plant stouter feet 
    in deep-dug unseen defences.    

Underneath fortress of meant defiance  
beats storm's power, a trunk
that withstands external battering
knows life is not easy on top, force rocks 
fibre but if rooted enough inside
self, a torn limb revives.

 

As the ways of a highland sapling tree,
So shall the traits of wise people be.

 

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

if i was a tree i would be of the most convoluted variety I would be twisted and gnarled and bent over and righted a most pitiful looking specimen. people would walk around me and gaze at wonder of my contorted frame and question how on earth such a thing was alive. they would hold meetings discussing the permanent removal of my species for the sake of the other trees. And then people like you would hold vigil and patch my gaping holes and wrap my frayed limbs and my fruits would bloom off colored ugly and delicious in gratitude:) You can always tell when i write a long review how much I like something I have read need I say more Fay:)

[Fay Slimm]

Ha -ha - well I would do just as you imagine if you were a moorland tree and had faced all the gales nature threw at you which had bent your limbs -- - I would speak up for your right to be there - - so pleased you enjoyed the read Robert.

[Neville]

the juxtapositioning of the old tree and wise men/people is done superbly..... as is everything else about these words....... Neville

[Fay Slimm]

Your review is as always encouraging and kind - thank you loads Nev and glad you enjoyed my tribute to moorland saplings.

[Neville]

... I did and still do..... toodle-oo :)

[Fay Slimm]

Ha - toodle-oo to you too - haven't read or heard that for quiet a while but you always raise me a smile - - yes you do...............

[Neville]

Woooo hooo ..

[Lydia Shutter]

A good life lesson in this well written poem. The personification of the tree is excellent. Lydi**

[Fay Slimm]

My thanks for your visit and read Lydi - specimen trees on high moors around where I live gave me pause for thought.......... hence the poem - grateful for your in-put too............... Fay