How to Read a Tree

I will never look at a tree the same way again.

How to Read a Tree

 

Carved out initials of hopeful connections,

stood in the shade of the day

Measured its trunk in a search for directions,

sizing the leaves on display

Read through a chapter on roots and their reaching,

deep in the soils they run

Sat there amazed at the secrets they’re teaching

who knew that nature was fun

 

Saw that a pine was a sticky endeavor,

sap from its pores on my hand

Try, as I might,, it was stuck there forever,

nothing I’d previously planned

Noticed the bark flowed in delicate traces,

rough came the texture I found

Long winding ruts leading to far off places,

down from the top to the ground

 

Different climes, sorted regions, locations,

chilly or warm, wet or dry

Narrow or wide, short or tall destinations,

close to the ground, near the sky

Colorful leaves, evergreen, thorns are showing,

alone or a forested scene

Pinecones and acorns, their seeds steady growing,

so many things in between

 

Wondering why I had taken for granted

all that these trees had to say

Never a thought to the reason they’re planted,

in such a wondrous array

Until a message a dear friend was sending,

something I just had to see

Now, every minute, new pages I’m bending,

 titled, “How to Read a Tree”

 

So, here’s my poem, some verses, a thank you,

happy that she did suggest

This piece of writing and this is my review,

just so you know, you’re the best

Now when I read and I learn from the pages,

facts on these trees that I love

Know, that each tree that I see through the ages,

you I will be thinking of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

A friend, knowing my love of nature, suggested I read the book, “How to Read a Tree” by Tristan Gooley. I purchased it and am enjoying every page I read. So, I decided to write this poem as a thank you to her.

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

I might have to quote Geddy Lee ...

There is unrest in the forest, trouble with the trees ...
for the maples want more sunlight and the oaks ignore their pleas.

No trouble in your poetic thank you. I liked the concept that the ruts in the bark are roads to far off places. Trees offer many places a poet might spin his web. Catch a reader with sappy words even. I wonder what a Tree Ent would do if you strung your trap amongst its branches?

[willweb]

Hmmmm, I wonder. : ) Thanks my friend. The book is fantastic, I have learned so much and now I see things just a bit differently

[ProphetsMother]

The trees are older than us and have connect that span almost endlessly.. and so we have a lot we can learn from them just though touch. I love to hug trees and feel their energy it's like nothing else.

[willweb]

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you liked it.

[FGFRANKLIN]

How wonderful and what a kind tribute to your friend as well. Trees are among my favorite living things, providing shade and comfort for man, fruits, nuts and furniture, homes and habitat for both man and animals. They don't get nearly enough praise.

[willweb]

Thanks so much Fabian. This book is fantastic, you really do look at trees in a brand new light.

[FGFRANKLIN]

I may have to purchase a copy now. I'm always interested in new reading material.

[Coyote Poetry]

I am a tree hugger myself. I liked the ancient trees.
"Know, that each tree that I see through the ages,
you I will be thinking of"
I liked the open ending. My favorite place is Metro Beach. The large trees touch Lake St. Clair. Like angels reaching for the sky. Thank you Will for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[willweb]

Thank you so very much my friend. I am learning so much about trees that I had no idea about before

[Coyote Poetry]

The trees are amazing. They give us life and they are so beautiful. You are welcome my friend.

[John the Baptist]

I had forgotten a lot of these things about trees. Those "roots and their reaching" probably refers to the underground system that allows trees to communicate with each other. And every day I drive by a now vacant lot, bereft of trees because a developer wanted to put a convenience store there. Green spaces are an endangered species in some area.

[emmajoygreen]

Tragically they are. Human beings need homes, trees, hedges, conservation areas, valleys , etc, plus everything that lives within and upon earth loses its rightful home, Who makes the final choice?
Truly, many thanks for your comments.

[John the Baptist]

You're welcome. I hope the UK is suffering less of this phenomenon.

[emmajoygreen]

Sadly - no. I live in a predominantly agricultural
county with little or no industry, But people, e specially the young, need roofs over their heads..
but our world is creating odds that no longer.. if ever, make sense Will now slide off the soapbox, forgive - please.

[willweb]

Hi, just wanted to pop in and say thank you John and I understand where both of you are coming from. I see so much around me being built up, and yes, I know people need homes but how many gas stations and convenience stores do we need. On the road I work on there are no less that 10 different housing subdivisions going in and many signs for new stores. It is sad to see it all disappear, though where I live is still quite rural and hopefully will stay that way for a bit longer.

[Stella Armour]

trees are miracles , did you know that if one is failing the others provide sustainance through the root system , how clever mother nature is and how we just take trees for granted never thinking of how they collect the surplus rain to prevent flooding and the shelter they give to so many tiny creatures. Whenever you hug a tree or just touch it the bark is always warm and tactile ... i swear they have souls you know ..
A lovely tribute you have written here..

[willweb]

Thank you so much Stella. I agree with you, I often talk to the trees on my property and I think they hear me and maybe even understand.

[Stella Armour]

they probably pick up vibes in their nervous systems, so much we don't know about them and yet we waste money on sending men to the moon...

[willweb]

This book I am reading is filling me with insight and facts I did not realize before. It is amazing the things we can learn every day if we allow ourselves to stop, look and listen.

[Stella Armour]

I think it is as we get older that we "Stop, look and listen" We could not write poetry without the imagery that mother nature provides for us ...

[emmajoygreen]

Your words and thoughts offer such a wonderfully metered poem, full to the brim with pointers about the book's content and, what's more, inspiration. As an avid tree hugger, I truly appreciate everything about this new post.

[willweb]

Dearest tree hugger, I am more than certain many trees look forward to your hugs. : ) Thank you Emma. I hoped this one would find you, knowing how you and nature seem to be one with each other.

[emmajoygreen]

We try. I even accept weeds as wild flowers.. cos they in turn accept me - whenever! :)

[willweb]

I too have often found beauty in some weeds and the patterns they produce are amazing. Here in South Texas, wildflowers are everywhere every spring and there is something very magical when you see I field that is vivid in red and blue and yellow and orange.

[emmajoygreen]

Next spring's photographs, please! Don't doubt you know that many weeds are still considered cures by those who know? :)

[willweb]

Definitely photos next spring. I looked hoping I had some now but I can't find any, so next spring it is. And yes I do know that some weeds have medicinal properties, or though they say. : )

[emmajoygreen]

'Tis true, part of my studies and absolutely fasci-
nating. The simplest truth: what do you put on your skin when stung by a nettle? :)

[Neville]

.. I am a tree guy too .. beautifully scripted Will & thoroughly enjoyed .. 🌳�™�™🌳now I'm off forest :)

[willweb]

Thanks so much Neville. If you haven't, I would recommend the book. It is extremely interesting.

[Soren]

Will what a wonderful play on words. Each word we read in a book is reading off a tree. More seriously I find it most interesting that trees communicate through their root systems and that plants make ultrasonic sounds to communicate things such as lack of water. Each species has their own language or difference of clicks. The metaphors you use here are very nice. Trees like people communicate, some are sticky, some give direction, some you can read.

[willweb]

You are so right. And to learn even more about than is a wonderful thing in my mind. Still reading. Thank you so much my friend.

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a beautiful tribute to the beauty and wonder of trees, and the power of nature to inspire and teach us. The use of sensory details and vivid imagery is particularly effective, with the rough texture of bark, the delicate traces of sap, and the colorful leaves creating a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The idea of trees as a source of wisdom and inspiration is emphasized throughout, with the speaker finding new appreciation for the natural world and the lessons it has to offer. Overall, your poem is a beautiful and uplifting tribute to the power of nature and the human spirit. Well done!

[willweb]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your comments and am happy you enjoyed this one.