Testament

a ghostly encounter:)

Testament

 

You flourished,

within the constrain,

of a concrete sidewalk.

Malnourished,

twisted, gnarled remains

a stump headstone mocks;

testament,

to your lofty defiance.

Once eclipsed,

by the structural… indifference

of societal progress.

I cannot help,

But feel,

A kinship,

As I see…

you’re ghostly outstretched branches,

reaching…

to drink the light;

As it seems…

I am forever,

trying to do.

I hear,

the spectral sound,

of the breeze,

creaking your tired limbs;

As this old poet

walks by…

joints grinding,

in a sympathetic note.

and the faint hiss,

of the swaying leaves…

of your shadowy canopy.

And I hear the rustle,

of your lost intentions…

drifting on the sidewalk;

like so many scrawls,

I penned,

reduced to dust…

in the decay of time.

But, this poet…

still sees you.

 

© 2022 Robert Trakofler

Author's Note

Robert · Testament

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

Hey Robert, how are you? It's been a while since I've read you, but you've overwhelmingly made up for lost time. I wholeheartedly agree with everyone here, this by far eclipses anything you've ever written. What a pleasure it is to be among such caliber of writing!

[Robert Trakofler]

Kelly:) it's so nice to hear from you! I manage to put pen to paper a little more often these days (and to read) I'm definitely not as prolific as i once was but I think I've gotten more picky in my old age LOL:/

[AYVID N]

Dear Bunny,

I have never read a more haunting and more captivating description of a tree. Indeed, a poet can relate to it at so many levels, most of all its resilience in the face of time. To me, there is nothing more enchanting than a tree, whispering, waving and sometimes weeping. Like poetry, a tree has an immortal essence and it never really dies.

A poem so good to read today. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙋‍♀️💕

[Patricia Wedel]

A true Poet writes what he or she feels... I know my toes curl up sometimes like knots on a tree limb;
however, I prefer flowers in Spring to walk upon. Lovely that you have healed so well to be poetically inclined. tenderly, Pat

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Patricia:) I pass that tree stump all of the time it was just a matter of time before I would write something about her we are both so very similar

[roniO]

Sorry about the joints. I can relate. Great poetry. Thank you.

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL growing old isn't for wimps

[Red Brick Keshner]

Having grown up around sidewalks such as this makes this poem even more relatable. And now its symbolism and metaphorical reach comes to the light through your splendid poem. Truly delightful. TFS.

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you sir

[Kim S.]

This is so wonderful, i enjoyed this a lot

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you, Beck:) I may be part tree LOL

[Crowley]

I can definitely identify with these words BB. A great picture and an inspired write for sure. That could probably be my facebook photo these days...lol. Great work!

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Crowley how are you old friend? I am still slogging around:/ LOL you remind me I have got to change my picture it's been a while I don't think it will be as pretty as that tree stump tho, but then again who can compare?

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is a truly brilliant poem
I loved it all
The fact that you can still see and hear the leaves swaying is true
It’s like a soldier who loses a limb
He remembers and thinks it’s there
I love this

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you Julie:)

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes what some see as an intrusion. With sap dripping on cars, or autumn litter sticking to windshields. The seer sees only the beauty and the gift that nature is no matter where it grows or grew.

[Robert Trakofler]

I think I love the beauty of resilience in the face of adversity so very much

[William Michael Reeves]

Olde as a tree. And the paper you pen upon was once a tree, that tried to grow where you were nearly laid ~ from the grave you were thankfully free. But seeds of progress, fertilized by society, grew in the dust of words at the foot of the stone. The seeds were sown indifferent as bone ... I believe this is what I see.

Billigami

[Robert Trakofler]

wow, what interesting things you see... I love when that happens and I reread a poem and see something different:)