The TREE (perseverance and determination)

Rhyming Couplets formed into Quatrains to save on vertical length, in an aabb, ccdd, etc; rhyme scheme, lines of iambic tetrameter (8-counts/4 poetic feet) … in homage to the Highest Spirit in us all.

.-~==˜ The TREE˜ ==~-.

:

It stands high on that barren hill,

with limbs stretched wide, sunlight to fill.

The tree grew proud, so strong and high,

its branches reaching t'ward the sky.

.-~*~-.

The tree looked down and saw bare stone,

in silence cried, “I’m all alone;

but, I’ll face fate without a fear,

one day to find fulfillment here!”

.-~*~-.

In Springtime, skies brought gushing rain,

as storms built strong in harsh disdain.

Gales slashed the tree that had no choice,

with their wild force of vernal voice;

.-~*~-.

Then, falling ... fell down hard to earth,

on shard-strewn soil that gave it birth

The tree was broken, filled with pain;

but, struggled ... then, stood up again.

.-~*~-.

The Summer’s day produced a storm,

from tropic air, both thick and warm.

Gilt lightning flashed a jagged fire,

to strike the tree with violent ire.

.-~*~-.

Consuming flames flared hot with glee,

seared tender branches off the tree.

If not for quenching rain's downfall;

perhaps, it might have taken all.

.-~*~-.

Through Autumn's craze of frigid flak,

its limbs grew stiff to freeze and crack.

Heard Winter portent's warning spell;

deprived of leaves … again, it fell.

.-~*~-.

The tree, once sure, now filled with doubt;

for, it, this season, might die out.

Though, stripped and raw upon that hill,

it swore to life ... come on what will.

.-~*~-.

Then, Winter came with frigid snows,

the direst, yet, of savage blows.

Through splintered dread of icy hell,

felt numbing pangs in thawing's quell.

.-~*~-.

Despair engulfed like drowning sea,

to soak so deep into the tree.

Each Winter does one Spring day end;

it's then, all wounds begin to mend.

.-~*~-.

Yet, scarred from life, it lives on still;

there's newfound hope atop that hill.

The tree's known pain of loss 'n grief;

now, learned the value of each leaf.

.-~*~-.

One sunlit day in early Spring,

the tree looked down and saw this thing.

Neath gnarled, protective arms of wood …

a tender little sapling stood.

:

.-~=<†>=~-.

:

·

*

Richard W. Jenkins

~ ©1976 ~

Photo by G.Dan Mitchell

PhD WINNER

Nature Poetry Contest

Author's Note

Another long one … this, from the early archives.

Constructive critique and helpful comments are always welcomed (by anyone)! : )

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

"The TREE"
Richard,
From the text and the photograph depicting the perseverance and determination I see your theme. The picture looks like a very well established tree far along in years and still intact albeit a bitt lopsided. I like it though because many of us understand the effort to be, live, persevere and do the best we can. Your poem is all about doing the best one can.
"Then, falling....fell down hard to earth
on shard strewn soil that gave it birth
The tree was broken, filled with pain;
but, struggled....then stood up again."
This was a very meaningful poem, full of meaning for any person whom feels that they cannot go on.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Richard&#128396;]

Again, Kathy,
You perceive the very core essence of my intent, grasping the deeper, more intricate details of this poem's message.
I may surprise you, though, to know it is about me, but knowing You, it might not. : )

Thank you for gracing my page once again, gifting an humble bard such graciously rewarding favor … hugs to you, Kathy! ⁓ Richard

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Mr. Richard, your the coolest! You have a colorful heart which gives strength. In honest portrayal to others affirmation is shared.....I like It. Hugs to you Richard! Nice ending to your comment.
I hope today is a really good one.
Kathy

[Richard&#128396;]

" Big smile!"

[horizon]

Always amazed by your work and admiring it. There's always so much to learn from you Sir. This poetry could be linked with a life of a human how a man breaks down again the strength comes in him and hope is just as the new sapling. A new journey. Loved it.

[Richard&#128396;]

And, I, M'Dear Poetess, admire and am always amazed by the loveliness and generosity of your heart.
I teach you poetry and you teach me humility and appreciation for the privilege of sharing my humble efforts, with one as delightful as yourself.
Your understanding of my intent in this piece is perfectly spot-on, too … I love it!

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for your beautiful review … BIG New Year HUGS to You! ⁓ Richard : )

[horizon]

Happy new year to you too sir :):)

[Susan 🦋]

How did I miss this Richard!!! Oh gosh! I have to write here feelings that words alone cannot express. First, If you are not familiar with the children's book " The Giving tree," check it out. I read it to my students all the time and this poem reminds me of it. This form really suites the poem your wrote..you always mention "long" in your notes...BUT,when I read them...I dont want them to end! They are never long enough, or maybe it's the feelings bubbling up I dont want to end. ( lol maybe I'm just too emotional) The concept here is outstanding! I KNOW this tree, I'm pretty sure I've Lived this tree! I have been broken, filled with pain, seared branches and all. I know despair, deep dark despair...and I know there is always hope. Yep! 830am and crying over another Richard poem!But I simply cannot read your words without them heading straight to my heart. More..as soon as I can slow my thougths..

[Susan &#129419;]

Your beautiful soul shines through your poetry. It is a blessing to consider you my friend.

[Richard&#128396;]

And, Susan, a blessing for me to be yours.
Your passion and depths of emotion is that which drive your own amazingly excellent poetry from out of your heart, mind, and soul so beautifully.
I cherish the mutuality of our enjoyment and regard for one another's writings, Dear Poetess, and I consider you one of (if not the) most brilliant of all my students.

I, somehow, felt you would relate to and understand this one in the way it deserves to be.
Blessing to you and yours in the New Year! ⁓ Richard : )

[Lyn Anderson]

I really like the form and style here, befitting the tree, and the font and presentation are lovely. If I had one observation, it would be that the punctuation here does not flow as well as it does in your later works. Perhaps that it is intentional, but to me, it would flow better without some of the punctuation in the middle of the lines.

[Richard&#128396;]

Hi, KL! : )
It is most wonderful to see you this warm, sunny morn, and to receive your praise and appreciation in gratifyingly thoughtful review to this mammoth suite of living rhyme and verse.
Your comment on punctuation is highly regarded, as is your generous effort to offer constructive critique in bettering this involved and rather complex composition.
Let's examine this work as a formal composition of poetry, considering every punctuation mark as a guide to the reader in the manner its author intended it to be read and understood, whether vocally or internally, with each comma a pause, each ellipsis a moment to reflect in imagery and emotion, each punctuation mark utilized to its fullest purpose, much in the way the arrangements of notes, pauses, tempos, highs and lows, etc; would be in a musical score to a symphony … that it is those that conducts and guides the moment, the pace, and together with the syntax creates the desired flow for the reader to enjoy by interpretation, as they would in listening to a finished song.
This, in-any-event, was my intent, but I take your comments seriously, too, and certainly understand that which you mean, as-well.
In traveling back through the entirety of each line, I found no punctuation to be incorrectly used or out of place, and though it has been quite some time since I last read it, I still flows exactly as is intended … I think I am often guilty of reading other's works in the manner and mood I am accustomed to liking, and even by the mood I'm in, rather than as their authors meant them to be.
It was not my intent that this piece flows smoothly, without pauses, but rather with patience, deep introspective, and depth of feeling and emotion.
Ah, I'm sure you already knew all this, KL, but thought it might be interesting to know, from my perspective, the whys and madness of my intent before stripping away parts of it. : )
Give it a reread, following each punctuation, to see if it takes-on more moment and nuance in depth and meaning.

Plus, I just enjoy an excuse to "chat" with you … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Lyn Anderson]

I do understand the intention of the breaks, as I noted, and I certainly did not mean to imply that the punctuation was used incorrectly, only that it does not flow as smoothly as some of your other works I have read. Your Life's Song sonnet is like liquid silk, flowing effortlessly across the page.

[Richard&#128396;]

Again, it's not meant to "flow" as smoothly or to be compared to any of my others … LOL!
The Sonnet you mentioned and this are two completely different kinds of writing, with completely different intents … not every poem I compose is intended to mimic the others in flow, anymore than in subject, feel, emotion, thought, etc; and, this one stands on its own, incomparable to any other … other than, in its form and rhyme-scheme, of course.

Hey!
No improper (it's), eh? See? You've been a blessing! : )

[Richard&#128396;]

Plus, the tempo in this one is in quicker iambic tetrameter, while the Sonnet (though, also, properly punctuated) is in a longer pentameter, and that alone can inspire lesser or greater smoothness, and the syntax is considerably different between the two.
Ahhh, but I'm preaching to the choir … LOL!

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, yes, I do understand. Intellectually, I really do.

[Lyn Anderson]

The only way I can explain feelings is by feelings. Like looking at two perfectly composed paintings, and feeling differently about one over the other. An observation only, and not a "right or wrong".:)

[Richard&#128396;]

Excellent point, KL … it is near impossible to justly compare different works or art (painting or poem) for this very reason.
You've put it far better than I have, and with far fewer words … LOL!

[Ovi-Odiete]

The tree is strong in both hard and soft times. It's a symbol of confidence, courage and hope. Thank you for sharing this and Congrats on the award in my contest. Nature Poetry

[Richard&#128396;]

Thank you, Ovi,
I am most humbled and grateful to you for creating a Nature Poetry contest we all can enjoy and share our efforts together, and it is certainly and honor to have this piece deemed worthy to be selected as winner.
I thank you most of all for sharing your contemplative thoughts on its message.
Many happy blessing! ⁓ Richard

[Ovi-Odiete]

You are welcome
Walm greetings

[Renée]

Well.. you did it again, Sir Richard,
Be still my heart.. I adore each thought, each trial it faced, to the little "thing" sheltered within its shadow. Oh my! Your writing sparks thoughts of every kind of challenge humanity faces, and how resilient we really are. I have so much to say, but instead of going on..I leave tears. ( it's true, touches deeply)

[Richard&#128396;]

Ah, Dear Lady Renée!
How deeply and sweetly you've blessed and rewarded an olde bard's earnest labors to faithfully express by way of word that which breathes and resides in his mind, heart, and most vivid imagination.
From the tone and emotion expressed from your own depths, I'd say we've touched and melded in a truly meaningful and endearing way … as only true poets can, and I cannot thank you enough for the sensation thus derived.

Your tears, I embrace and drink unto my soul … warmest hugs 'n blessings, Dear Renée! ⁓ Richard

[Dave]

Richard - what a beautiful tale you tell. How closely your tree endures so many of the trials
and tribulations we adults must sustain. It's stubbornness, its perseverance in its'
determination to stay alive and prosper its' growth.

To see it survive all that seemed to assail it and then find that it has not only
made it through the storms that tried so hard to do it in, but to issue forth new life.
A truly inspiring piece. Thank you.

[Richard&#128396;]

Goodness, Dave!
Your review almost completely slipped through the cracks!
Your take on this mammoth piece is simply sheer brilliance, My friend; few have the wherewithal to grasp its verses in such vivid detail, and applying the metaphoric spiritual symbolism of human struggle and perseverance is uncannily accurate.

Your praise, appreciation, and conscious comments in review make my efforts to write and share this piece feel all the more gratifying and worthwhile.
Many grateful thanks to you, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Dave]

Richard, you make it so easy to compliment your work! I love reading and enjoying your work. I'm a bit held back in my own writing for a bit. I just had a right shoulder replacement, of course I'm right-handed.
Please take care - your friend - Dave

[jacob erin-cilberto]

an old tree riddled by life...but still standing...it isn't how often we get knocked down, it is how well we get up again...

life throws fire, ice, tornadoes, hurricanes...metaphorically, at us from all sides...we splinter, lose parts of ourselves...but in the end if we are strong enough...we live to tell about it...and appreciate our survival.

[Richard&#128396;]

Thank you, My Fine Friend, for venturing so far back in my portfolio to find and read this oldie, pulled from the archives.
Your inferred enjoyment proves how poetry never gets too old to be appreciated, and your inspired insights, thereof, express encouragement and standing reward from my humble efforts, though many years since have passed us by.

You're the best, Jacob, and so many here agree with me … smiles to you! ⁓ Richard

[V]

Beautiful write. Though I'm not that much into classical rhyme schemes, you mastered it without a doubt.
I like the everlasting image about it; metaphoric, storytelling.

[Richard&#128396;]

Vanessa,
It is high pay, indeed, for an humble ol' bard to receive such accolades from a poetess who divests from classical rhyme, diverting from her normal preference, selecting this lengthy classical verse to read and comment-on, with such warm, appreciate measure.

Thank you sincerely for your wonderful enjoyment and encouraging praise, Vanessa! ⁓ Richard

[V]

You are welcome.

[θεά]

Oh beautiful! Simply brilliant writing!
I was tempted to compare this to Wordsworth's 'Daffodils' in the first stanza, and then when I kept reading all the onslaughts the tree had to endure, I was about to chime in with an Angelouesque 'Still I Rise' reference. But who am I kidding? This is RWJ at his sublime best! And I am so glad you referred this poem to me. So very glad!

Needless to say, this gets shelved with my favorites. I'd probably have to install an RWJ bookcase just for your poems.

As always reading your works is a pleasure.

Best,
M.

[Richard&#128396;]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, Mallika, for reading this marathon piece, and for such inspiring and encouraging appreciation!

To be mentioned in the same breath as Wordsworth and Angelou is praise far higher than I could have ever wished, and certainly far above my humble stature … yet, the thoughtful inference gifts a warming blush!

Yes, I had thought you might appreciate the message in this monumental piece, and that my poetic efforts should occupy a place on your bookshelf is honorable gratification I could only dream of.

Your pleasure is my joyful goal, Mallika … bless You all your days! ⁓ Richard