A Rare Fruit

A poem I have been working on in various stages for a long time...given new meaning and a different ending here!

A lone tree grew on a lofty perch
A lonely patch of perfect earth
High above the weary world
An untouched spot where eagles swirled
And in this place a delicious fruit
So rare in variety it was beyond repute
Swelled and ripened for years in the Sun
While sky and seasons endlessly spun
It softened and darkened and sweetened untasted
Until Nature herself implored it not be wasted
Then, at long last, a steadfast explorer
Sighted the peak hidden high above all others
And he dreamt of the world as it might look from up there
So he set off without fear or fanfare, into thin air
With great hope and high spirits he started off
He felt each footfall carry him higher aloft
Each step filled him with pride and excitement
Not one thing there gave warrant for indictment
At long last just one cliff remained to be climbed
And suddenly his excitement seemed strangely ill-timed
As searched he no foothold or handholds could he find
And the longer he looked, the more he was resigned
Scanning across the crumbling stone
It was then he first saw the tree standing there, alone
A giant black fruit, bursting with nectar
So far enough off it loomed like an exotic spectre
Pendulously dangling precariously over empty space
Swaying on tenuously bent bough, over cliff face
So full and heavy it seemed any moment might fall
Yet there it swayed out of reach of any and all
So the adventurer stood and stared, he would not waver
He longed to taste it and wondered at its flavor
He dared to dream of planting its seeds
But the mystery of getting there yielded no leads
He sat and he waited through a night and a day
Certain that eventually he would find a way
But despite scratching holes in the rock with his hands
There was seemingly no way to realize his plans
He set up a camp and he built a small shelter
His effort in climbing had caused him to swelter
Now he lay and relaxed, reclined in his den


(More to Come)

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

The metaphor here is multi-layered. The man sees the rare fruit....perhaps a woman who has never found a romance? He tries to reach her, but she is just out of his reach. He refuses to give up and stays near her in the hopes she will notice him and he will be her knight in shining armor. He knows this is where he wants to be....where he must stay because she is so rare. Of course, you might have a totally different meaning, but this is my take on it. I enjoyed the rich imagery throughout your poem. Lydi**

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Actually, Lydia, you are right on target!!

[Lydia Shutter]

whew! thanks.

[Tina Louise UK]

I absolutely love this..you are such the story teller, I had the same feeling as Lydia with this one. What a beautiful metaphor, look forward to more :) x

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

I am still waiting for the inspiration to tell the rest of the story. Have you anything you think could be a good denouement?

[Tina Louise UK]

hmm maybe the tree could start to bow towards him over time allowing him to reach..

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Hmm, I like the idea of that...It reminds me of a thing my martial arts sensei used to say: The bow that bears the most fruit hangs lowest. What he meant was it was the most worthy "bow" with was also the most humble. I agree with the sentiment. Hmm. Good idea! Let me think how this could work!

[Frieda P]

What Lydikey said...enjoyed your story within your poetry, waiting for what's to come....

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Thanks for reading it!!! I am at a loss...I need a little more clear idea for the next step. Perhaps it is because it is a love story and I have not really found the right way to let it play out. Tell me what you think!

[Frieda P]

Guess it all depends on if you want to sit back and worship such said gem or devour it's flesh....only you can decide which direction your muse will go, let me know!

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

DEVOUR, without a doubt...but I fear leaving the symbol so used...Where can I go from there? How does it still become loved? Will the tree bear more fruit?

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

To be honest I am really losing myself in the symbolism...I need help parsing out the meaning of the symbols I have used here...I think you are just the one to help though, so thank you!

[Frieda P]

Ha it's complicated isn't it? I'm sure you'll find a way to partake with finesse...bear more fruit already, you're quick!

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Ha! Well, trying to make some sense of out it...