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

[Dave Brown]

A while back I read a book by Suzanne Simard called (I think) Finding the Mother tree and its/her deep association with our entire environment, including the air we breath
Sounds very similar and another I read, more related to the fact that trees have feelings.
Now I always make sure to vocally or physically relate to all our trees and plants
All except the dandelion

[willweb]

That sounds very interesting as well. Thanks Dave

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is a beautiful homage to an inspiring book. It sounds like you are really enjoying it. This is another well penned, light of a poem that shines for all to see.

[willweb]

Thank you so much my friend.

[Lorry]

You know what will remove that sticky stuff Will... Turps, which shocked the bejeezus out of me when a treeologist (I think that's their technical name) told me where turps comes from... Pine trees!!! &!
I thought it came from diy stores via a chemical factory, but no... Isn't ma nature weird?
And unless you're reading it on an E reader, which is notoriously difficult to bend pages on, you even have trees to thank for that book too!
We just don't big up trees enough I think, but you did an excellent job with this, while breathing... And do you know what made the air you breathed??? Well, mostly algae, but the trees get most credit for that too! 😊

[willweb]

Phew, glad you liked it my friend, I was afraid I was barking up the wrong...oh wait. Ok so I am assuming "Turps" is turpentine? Can I borrow some, because I just put my hand in my pocket and now my pants are stuck to it. This is awkward.

[Lorry]

It is turpentine but I haven't got any, because DIY chain here doesn't allow its sale online, despite paints and other flammable stuff being okay to sell and transport to your door??? Weirdly enough, my local grocers store and supermarket sell it though. The stuff must be like liquid dynamite 😊

[Chris Shaw]

As I also have an affinity with trees, I very much appreciated this poem. The book sounds fascinating, and I feel sure it would be well worth the reading. A nice nod to your friend too. Happy Wednesday will.

Lovely flow in your stanzas. Smooth reading

Chris

[willweb]

Thanks so very much Chris. Now it is me who highly recommends the book. It is extremely interesting. I have learned so much from it already and I am only halfway in.