Though Lovely Is Her Memory

Across the lea a north wind blows,

soon follows on soft swirling snow

to cover where the grass grows green.

Into the distance, there alone

and flanked between a wall of stone,

stooped low and twisted leans a tree.

Her branches bend, her branches ache,

caked heavy, burdened they will break

or wait for warmth to set her free?

Throughout the winter, chill and bleak

her ageing limbs are weary, weak,

and shiver in the biting cold.

Long gone those russets, gone the golds,

the rustle of October bolds,

in skirts that danced in autumn breeze.

Alas the verdant green in spring

will not adorn her frame again

nor will her blossom gently fall.

No living thing is built to last

like us this tree was doomed to pass,

though lovely is her memory.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

This is so beautiful!!! You bring the tree to life, as well as the seasons... trees die as we do... with heavy burdens too much to bear.... I love the way you show us how lovely autumn was with golden hues....and a slight breeze... but winter can be cruel and destroy some outstanding pieces of nature.... such as this poor tree.... LOVELY!
Best, B HAPPY HOLIDAYS CHRIS!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, thank you so much for your lovely review. Sending best wishes to you and yours for a happy new year.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris!!! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Best, B

[Einstein Noodle]

dear Chris ..i have tears welling up in my eyes and lump in my throat ..so thankful to read this wonderful poem of our humanity .. thought instantly of my Norma and my dear Ma ... then enough others to fill the basket. beautifully, sensitively, masterfully done says i .. rhyme and rhythm so natural .. and i admire the use of punctuation in such a sensible way ... i did pay attention to them ;)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Aw, dear Mr E. I am so touched by your lovely review. Especially as it made you think of your Norma and your Ma. So pleased you liked this poem.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Wa7f for. Cv. V Are d C CBC tvthg a C we es C. Hi Chris... I have no clue as to how this Strange Code appeared...
wish I knew! Sorry it took you down a “rabbit hole” like Alice in Wonderland.
Let us hope this does not happen again. Charlie Chan could not solve this Code! Tomorrow is my 🎉 Birthday.. so Life is precious to
me. My daughter will be on a Trip so she is having “flowers” delivered tomorrow morning April 23.. looking forward to receiving them. Stay young and Vibrant. fondly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dearest Pat, I am intrigued by your response. I have been pondering for some time. It must be a coded message :) Or maybe a tree whispering in a soft summer breeze. My Dad would have broken the code by now being a wizz at maths and physics. Alas I haven't inherited his scientific brain. Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... I adore your description of a soft summer breeze. It must be a secret message from an Angel that knows many mysteries. Be still and listen to your 💜 heart. tenderly, Pat

[lightsong]

So very touching, so gently sad... but yes dearest Chris our beauty and loveliness stay byoned our passing years and age, it will live on no matter what, maybe the shape is changed but never the essence.

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely thought about the essence. I very much hope so too lightsong. So pleased you visited this old poem of mine, out for an airing.

Chris

[Unspoken poet]

This is so lovely and yet touching. Very nicely expressed feelings

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for checking in and leaving a review. So much appreciated.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

Beautifully written! I love the two rhyming lines followed by a non-rhyming one. Is this a particular poetry form? The message of the poem is lovely as well. A joy to read. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

I'm not aware that it is a poetry firm Sharon. The lines just came out that way. Pleased you liked the poem.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... this would be me... in my Autumn Skirt.
It seems I no longer dance in the Wind... but I sing with the Birds.
A beautiful Poem that touches my Heart. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Singing with the birds sounds good to me Pat. Thank you for checking this old write out. Wanted to give it an airing. All the best from across the waves.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… a favorite ❤️ Poem of yours that I would love to Remember. Soon our Balsam Firs will be covered with Snow. We have had a Visitor for a Week or so.. a Red-headed Woodpecker that is eating Seeds with our Cardinals and Blue Jays. You never know the “Pecking Order” until a Winter Day in December. Merry Christmas 😇 2022. “I saw three Ships a Sailing” is a pretty 🎶 Song. Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat. Love hearing about the behavior of your avian friends. It has been too cold here to snow. Enjoy yours when it arrives. So pretty to look at.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

The circle of life is absolute. All living being have an expiration date. Nothing can live forever and I like this poem with its imagery about your lovely tree that has come full circle and it is now time for it to come to and end decompose and give nutrients for other plants to thrive

[Chris Shaw]

Sad to see beautiful trees die too. Yes full circle PB. Many thank yous. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.

Chris

[Seriana]

This is beautiful Chris, in it's words, rhyme and presentation. Poems about trees are quite special. Comparing it to an aging woman adds the perfect touch when speaking of all the things that are failing, eventually lending her to her resting place. I wondrous way to end the cycle of life. Nicely done! You have a natural talent for formed writing. Very nice!
Amber

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that lovely review Amber. You have no idea how uplifted I feel.

Chris

[Pete]

wow. the other day in the park, a tree branch had been taken down by the wind. i mourn for it. the cycle of life. we remember what was but embrace what is. wonderfully thought-provoking. beautiful flow to a heartfelt conclusion ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for a lovely review Pete. An old poem out for an airing.

Chris

[Rick Puetter]

Lovely, and executed in my preferred meter, Trochee Tetrameter. A beautiful subject and sentiment as well. High marks.

Rick

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly Rick. This is an old one I decided to give an airing. Pleased you noticed it.

Chris