A Tree Poem

Those mighty trees that spread their arms

were once as tall as you.

And none have felt the sweeping strokes

of what a saw could do.

Yet underneath those street-lined wings,

resplendent in strong wood

arise a row of rural homes

where once their brothers stood.

And though I'll bask in summer shade,

I'll feel a tinge of guilt.

We've lashed with hatchets many down

to yield what we have built.

"Quell those notions of demise,"

I hear an oak tree say.

"Look around at what we've done

and what you have today!"

"The forceful sounds of violins,

the sound of new guitars;

the look and feel of brand-new books,

the storage for memoirs."

Perhaps you're right, old friendly oak,

but this I strongly pray:

that all the trees upon my block

avoid the axe and stay.  

Author's Note

The original picture disappeared. :(

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

I used to be a chainsaw murderer however, as a woodworker, I am now only taking wood that has fallen on its own and I have also done a large amount of replanting
Please forgive me.
The trouble with wood is that it is a wonderful, reusable resource
The reality is that it is partly the trees own fault
Very nicely written piece

[Relic]

I'm familiar with that particular aroma wood gives off when drilling or cutting into it. It does smell good. But I still wish I had my old trees back instead of these mass produced houses. :)

[Dave Brown]

I certainly would not argue with that

[John the Baptist]

Very good rhyming and a nice sentiment here. Where I live now used to be county farmland. It was suburban when I moved in, and now it's considered urban. The developers are doing their best to eradicate as much green space as they can. Though the trees that shelter them are getting sparse, the deer still are occasionally seen.

[Relic]

Thanks John. I used to have three houses on my street. Now it's filled from top to bottom on either side with cookie cutter houses. There's hardly any trees left except the ones the builders planted. The owners of the houses don't like them so they cut them right where the branches start. They look like weird coat racks.

[Miss Sharon]

Nicely spoken! Truth and wisdom my friend. ~Sharon

[Relic]

Thank you, Sharon. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Well worth another visit. Two hundred trees in an area of beauty near my home about to be felled to make way for more homes. Yes, we need them on our over populated island, but there are brown sites where they would be better suited. Hate to see the demise of healthy trees Tim.

Chris

[Relic]

I sure am familiar with trees being decimated for houses. I too live on an island and I don't recognize my town anymore. Thanks for the comment, Chris.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've often wondered why it is they (trees) fascinate me so. Is it their roots, like our own? Is it their strength and capacity for letting go, which teaches us a lesson well learned? I truly love how you speak for them here, Tim. The street where I lived as a child was lined with mighty oaks, and I've long held the image of their stoic nature to this day. Much enjoyed, Tim.

[Relic]

Thank you for the comment, Kelly. :)

[Susan 🦋]

So being a nature lover as I am... I'm with avoiding the axe! (Sometimes It can't be helped or is just necessary due to disease and such) This is an interesting flip in theme. The" Oak tree" points out the uses of wood etc. and it's true. But still, the flip caught me. lol I've probably read too much of the "Giving Tree!" Loved the poem, Well done :)

[Relic]

Thank you, Susan. :)

[Charlie's Enigmatic Wre..]

Trees are such powerful entities to me, this poem resonates quite deeply. Lovely work!

[Relic]

Thank you very much, Charlie. :)

[Harmony.Txx]

I absolutely love this one!

[Relic]

Thank you very much, Harmony. :)

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This is simply beautiful! While sometimes it's a must to cut down a tree, it is sad when they are stripped away needlessly! The flow to this piece was awesome!

[Relic]

Thnks for your thoughts, Kathy. :)

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

My pleasure!

[keith]

my compound sits amongst many great trees
sycamore pecan oak pine ... all grand centurion witnesses to man and his many needs to man and his wanton destructions
i look i see i breath in the essence of the woods everyday
it is my happy place

such an ode to the mighty majestic guardians, well done

[Relic]

Thank you very much, Keith. :)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“We've lashed - with hatchets - many down
to yield what we have built.”

Love the formal, old-world language and feel of this poem, Relic. Magnificent picture with iconic tree and vintage car. Great message, flow, cadence, imagery, rhyme, conversation between man and tree. Great personification used. Sadly, man mindlessly destroys the profundity of living trees for gain, for consumerism. By doing so he robs the earth of beauty, and the air of providers of critical oxygen. So many ecosystems felled with each tree. And much of it needless. You present both sides of the story cleverly. Love this poem and thank you for it.

[Relic]

Thanks for a great review, Annette. :)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome Relic.🌳🌳🌳