from whense it came

the wind came.
then the rain.
hard and vengeful.
blasted through the woods.
snatching leaves.
hurling limbs.
howling like a lover scorned,
an anguished grendal's mother
over and over again.
from the east spinning to the north and back again.
hating everything.

so angry.

until its dry old branches were surely soaked.
making it creak, moan,
bend where there were no joints.
until it strained against its roots
and the gravity of the Earth no more.

it swayed,
then arched,
then yielded.

and its roots tore from the ground
and ripped the ground open.
crashing through its sisters' and brothers' limbs.
collapsing,
creaking and moaning...
all. the. way. down.

slowly, it suffocated.
weighted by the rain;
pinned by the wind.

and then the rain stopped and the wind left.
the birds signaled from what remained.

the years saw it helpless.
the many springs and summers and falls and winters.
they came and came again.
its leaves now dust.
its pulp slowly returning to the dirt from whense it came.

the coyote perched atop and scanned.
the deer leapt over without noticing.
the worms crawled in and out.
the snakes nested.

the forest again content.

Reviews

[carl]

Found this to be a really enjoyable read. Have read and written poems on the life and beauty of trees, but never one on a trees death and potential "rebirth." Great form and flow to the work. Thanks for the post. - if it is not considered crass, could I ask you to read my story Season of Death. I hope you will understand my asking after the read. Peace to you. -carl

[Kelly Scheppers]

No fury like a woman's wrath, so they they say. Your syntax of phrases intensified as I scrolled down, but then the silence returned as God's creatures regained their footing. Such a powerful play on words, Matt!

[m.s.early]

Thank you Kelly. Glad you enjoyed

[Silmara McGarry]

Nature poems, ohhhh I love them! I wrote a poem *Surreal Love* that it has nature all over it )))
Such an amazing description, and so very well put. The readers can certainly immerse themselves as if the tree itself.
Your poem is beautiful and an absolute pleasure to read.
Thank you!!!

[m.s.early]

Thank you kindly. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Chris Shaw]

Mother nature at work with all her moods. I have an affinity with trees. I often write about them. This is a wonderful poem, not only descriptive in its poetics but it teaches us too. Delighted to read you.

Chris

[m.s.early]

Thank you kindly for taking the time to read and comment

[Coyote Poetry]

Native American watched the animals. When the coyote and wolf are hiding. Bad weather was coming.
"the coyote perched atop and scanned.
the deer leapt over without noticing.
the worms crawled in and out.
the snakes nested.
the forest again content."
I taught my grandchildren. Eat what the animals eat and watch the free animals. They know nature and I loved the above lines. Thank you my friend for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[m.s.early]

Thank you coyote. Always a pleasure when you visit

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one my friend and you are welcome.

[NotUsinganymore]

Very interesting poem about the harsh unforgiving weather.

[m.s.early]

Thank you for your thoughts