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

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Tim! 🌳

You've taken-on one of my most favorite of all vibrant, living things, and spot-on in the beautiful, easy-flowing Ballad form, as well.
I really enjoy, not only the imagery, metaphor, emotion, syntactic diction, proper grammar, and sheer enjoyment you've blended into your original versings, but the pride you take in your work, as-well. Only thing I might suggest is to select a more appealing serif font and something with a bit of subtle color to treat the mind's eye appeal, for the full monty.

Particularly, I was struck by the creative manner in which you managed to include the full spectrum from trees' aspect and human needs, the sentiments, benefits, and nostalgia of our mutual relationships, as-well-as detriments, and tied them all together with a deep abiding understanding.

Absolutely, love the rhythm, easy flow, and impacting message you've delivered to our minds and hearts in perfect rhyme and meter … your picture choice is sheer stunning ambiance.
Beautifully done, My Friend, as only a master at his craft can! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Relic]

Thanks so much Richard. That means a lot and gives me more confidence in the 8/6 form.

Font ~ I've tried to get different fonts but to no avail.

[Richard🖌]

HM?
Are you logged-on from a cellphone or tablet, by chance.
You may need a laptop or desktop computer to access the full features here, but, surely, you know that.

[Relic]

I've always been logged in from a laptop. This site just doesn't allow me enough font options. I even thought of using Microsoft office and it didn't work.

[Richard🖌]

I find Times or Georgia to be for more appealing choices than a plain, no character, black block font, and there are so many appealing, more meaningful color choices.

BTW: I meant to mention how much I admire your excellent diction and moving word choices in the following verse (amongst your others, as-well) … this on hit me poetically and emotionally, particularly the emphasized pause ofter "once," in L4:

Yet, underneath those street-lined wings,
resplendent in strong wood -
arise a row of rural homes
where once, their brothers stood.

[Relic]

Glad you liked that. I realize also that commas in poetry aren't 'always' the same as in prose. At least, that's what I read.

Times and Georgia. I've tried them both, they come out plain. I always wondered how Kelly gets such nice fonts.

[Richard🖌]

"Times and Georgia. I've tried them both, they come out plain"
"Plain" in what sense?

[Relic]

They look the same as arial.

[Richard🖌]

(try reading the following sentence with pauses [commas] to see what meaning it takes-on)
A comma, pure and simple, is a brief pause, after which, something meaningful or expressive often follows.
After all, punctuation guides the reader to the author's intent, much as musical notes on a scale guide the musician's fingers on a guitar or piano.

[Relic]

It makes sense but the first two sentences sound too wordy.

[Richard🖌]

Obviously, something's failing to communicate correctly between your laptop and the Café.
read moreObviously, something's failing to communicate correctly between your laptop and the Café.

Note this from Café's Help FAQ:
I added my writing, but the text doesn't display properly.
Safari
Our text editor doesn't work in some older versions of Safari (older than 1.3) so if you're a Mac user, you may have to use the Old Text Editor (you'll see a link to access this just above the text editor on the Add Writing page).

If you're pasting your writing from a Word document in Safari, you might also find that some characters (quotes, dashes, etc.) don't appear properly. To get around this click the Paste as Plain Text icon. Paste your Word text into the popup which appears and all the characters should display correctly,though you may lose some of the page formatting (indents, line spacing, etc.).

Other Problems
If your story is missing a line or two of text at the end, this is a different problem. The text edtior isn't closing the tags it applies to your text (all the crap you see in the 'Code' view). Our suggestion is press enter twice at the end of your text. Then click the 'Preview' button at the bottom of the Text Editor to make sure it appears right.

Also, as a last resort, you're always free to use the Old Text Editor by clicking the [old text editor] link which appears just above and to the right of the new text editor.

[Relic]

Why? Hmm? Don't know what it could be.

[Richard🖌]

"It makes sense but the first two sentences sound too wordy."
How would you have worded it more clearly and succinctly?

[Relic]

A comma is a brief pause, something meaningful or expressive often follows.
After all, punctuation guides the reader to the author's intent, much as musical notes on a scale guide the musician's fingers on a guitar or piano.

[Richard🖌]

Remember,
You said, "I realize also that commas in poetry aren't 'always' the same as in prose. At least, that's what I read." And, is what I responded to.

[Relic]

So was I right in what I wrote?

[Richard🖌]

Ergo:
"A comma, pure and simple, is a brief pause, after which, something meaningful or expressive often follows."

[Relic]

So you would use commas in poetry the same way you would in prose?

[Richard🖌]

"So was I right in what I wrote?"
Not in answer to your original comment (above), which demanded a more precise use of the comma.

[Richard🖌]

Without the need to describe and emphasize what a comma is, I would have normally written thus:
read moreWithout the need to describe and emphasize what a comma is, I would have normally written thus:

"A comma is a brief pause, after which something meaningful or expressive often follows."

[Richard🖌]

"A comma is a brief pause, after which something meaningful or expressive often follows."

[Relic]

Okay.

I still can't find the right font though. haha

[Richard🖌]

C'est la vie! 🤪

[Richard🖌]

I like returning to this wonderful poem of yours, Tim; and, as I did (this time) decided to do something I rarely do … read others' reviews. I read FGFRANKLIN'S review and noted he called Joyce Kilmer, the author of "Trees", a "she." Bit, Joyce Kilmer is a "he" … just to set that straight in case you and/or others read it and know no better.
In olden days, men's and women's names were often the same.
For instance: I had an elderly pal, who's now gone; his name was Juny Fey McNeese, and he was a bear of a masculine man.
Anyway, that's all have to offer this time around.
Keep lovin' them trees and writing lovely poems about 'em.

[Richard🖌]

BTW, your beautiful picture is not loading, and it makes a lot of difference on this particular piece … just sayin'.

[.]

Quite a stunning lament for our modern times, dear Relic! Just as the saw can be double edged, so to is the fate of those wonderful oaks; they supply us with much of what we need materially, shade us from the heat, yet to do that we need to wreck havoc on their numbers. It's a conflicting conundrum. Just a matter of finding the right equilibrium, i believe. I adored the morality of this fable and its sublime flow and rhyme. Very much enjoyed!:))

[Relic]

Thank you very much for your review, Jamila. :)

[Eilis]

The conundrum of civilized life, I suppose. We can love things but also rely on them as resources. I suppose the important thing is finding a balance. Certainly replacing what we use.

In the neighborhood I live in (it is about 45 years old) there are mature trees everywhere and small forested areas and a sort of reverence for those trees and spaces.

I do, however, notice what you point out with newer construction and the ways everything is wiped out to provide this perfect, unwilded canvas. And so much space is being devoted to these new buildings when there are houses sitting empty that just need repair. I hope we can find the right balance and respect the long lives of trees—along with realizing how important trees and plants are to our ultimate survival.

A very thoughtful and well-written poem. Great to read today.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for your considerate review, Eilis.

[Poetic Beauty]

It makes me sad to see things like this happen. In the neighborhood I grew up in a large part of the woods we played in and had many an adventure has bee cut down to make way for new homes. When we take down a tree we should at least replant one or two by our houses to keep nature going

[Relic]

Thanks for your thoughts, PB.

[Ted Kniffen]

I could never understand the idea of clearing building lots of any trees to put up houses and then the home owners plant more trees.
Canada is embarking on a program to plant 50 million trees...to fight climate change of course. What ever the reason I'm all for planting more.
Those tree lined streets are far more pleasant to stroll down than these sub-divisions sprouting everywhere.

Good poem Relic...reminiscent of Bliss Carmen.

[Relic]

Thank you, Ted. I'll look up Bliss Carmen.

[Lorry]

Excellent write relic. Leaves me thinking of now and then and now again, where childhood haunts are unrecognisable, with new builds hiding the treasures of our youth, which leads into thinking of just how much time we spend reminiscing when it isn't to our liking, yet praise modernity when it is.
And that is without even thinking about the books and instruments that bring so much enjoyment as you say.

[Relic]

Well said and I agree. Thanks, Lorry.

[barleygirl]

There have been a rash of poems lately in defense of nature & this is, to me, one of the most original I've read. I love how you pick a point of view that's unique & intriguing, I was taken in by the way this felt like a tug-of-war upon someone's heart. Here you have acknowledged the need for progress & human habitation, which can be an argument for "the other side" & in this way, you present a more balanced picture instead of one that will be seen as "just a tree hugger" getting off! *wink! wink!* That photo is so exquisite, it almost cures me of my rabid dislike for winter & snowy climes! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Relic]

Thanks very much for your thoughts, Margie. :)

[XuuL]

Great poem! I love the way you talk to trees. I especially like the ending which highlights this relationship, the way you say "old friendly oak" and show him your concern and understanding. The photo fits nicely too, well done.

[Relic]

Thanks very much, Xuul.

[AJNJ]

This poem is very attractive in wording and content and I agree with the message shared. Yet, sometimes the chainsaw just can’t be avoided. We could try and minimise it yet not totally avoid it. The solution? Afforestation. Keep planting more. That’s it.

[Relic]

Good point, thanks, Pestonjee.