Endurance

Within Lynch Island's tangled tracks,

I stand before an English oak

whose girth exceeds all others seen.

Grey furrowed bark is tough on touch

as parasitic ivy clings

to vines that climb to giddy heights.

I circumvent a sturdy base

and with extended arms I reach

to measure round a wayward waist.

Five times I stretch with fingertips

beneath its overhanging boughs.

Five times the width of my embrace.

In days ahead with tree in leaf,

a canopy of heavy shade

will block each ray of lucent light,

and dark the pathways will become

that lead to where in May each year,

white bells of Loddon lilies bloom.

How many Kings and Queens have ruled?

How many tyrants thrived and died?

How many battles lost and won?

Yet undisturbed this tree stands strong

that's overseen the misery

of England's bloodied history.

If trees were able to convey,

if they could whisper words to us,

what secrets would they dare to tell?

That life prolonged on planet earth

is barely stirred by Heaven's grace,

far greater stoked by flames from Hell.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I regularly gaze at my surrounding majestic oaks & think of all that they’ve watched over here in this spot. But in your poem, you’ve done this to a degree only imagined by me, before now. You are a wizard when it comes to painting details with startling freshness. Nice variation and flow of tree-ness and then people-ness and then questioning and then universe-ness. The way it all fits together is stunningly profound. Thanks for the inspiration (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I am blushing Margie. You are far too generous.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

A lovely tribute to an old oak tree, that brought you much joy...even though you could not surround it with your arms... and it withstood many bloody wars and such.... i too wonder what thoughts this tree must have about conditions on this earth....oak trees are gorgeous... and live oaks here in the south of U.S have moss hanging from their branches...very descriptive fear Chris
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for a lovely review. Sorry for late response. Have taken a break. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Recuperating from shoulder surgery….. doing as well as can be expected…. See you soon at the Cafe🌷🌷
Warmly B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I always remember all the Trees that have kept us Cool in Summer, as well as the Winter Trees that provide Shelter from Storms. The Branches dance in the Wind and provide Nooks for Nests when our feathered friends wait for Spring and fledglings to appear. It is heart-warming to see the young fledglings learning to eat on our Deck with seeds to nourish their songs with energy. Lovely to finally have some Rain the end of May and hopefully beyond. You have a way with the Lyrics that appear in your Poetry.... where Mandolins and Harps blend with Chirps of ecstasy. softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat. Sorry for late response. I have been having a break from poetry. Sending my best wishes and love to you and Roger. 🌹

[Soren]

This poem casts its own spell taking one to places only seen by a tree of this age. Indeed if they could talk what wisdom would they impart? If age brings wisdom they certainly would rank at the top of earths creatures. But then I guess we would give them only as much attention as we give any other wisdom. A most beautiful and masterfully crafted poem Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren. Sorry for late response. Been having a rest from posting.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

This is extremly well written and gives me an almost Elizabethan vibe. A feel of Dryden almost. Beautiful. I often look at and try to feel the same with old trees. Especially the oaks from the celtic rain forest up here.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly dear Ken. Sorry for late response. I have taken a break. All the best to you.
read moreThank you kindly dear Ken. Sorry for late response. I have taken a break. All the best to you.

Chris

[Ayvid N]

A giant old tree that has stood the test of time and endured the sadness of the ages bygone becomes as precious as history itself. I'm thinking of all those annual rings inside its trunk, the numbers of years, the centuries for which it has stood silently and watched those kings, queens and tyrants flash past. No one lasted and all was swept away into the unknown with time. But the tree outlasted them all and went on with the business of life and still lives to quietly tell the tale. This poem shares such a powerful message on the power of silence and of endurance. Wonderfully written, dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much DIVYA for your warm and encouraging review. Sorry for late response. I have taken a break. Hope all is well with you dear poet.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Mother nature is very resilient indeed. What a great poem

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Dale. Apologies for late response. I have been on a break. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous Chris - you have hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. 'England's bloodied history' indeed. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. Sorry for late response. I have been taking a break. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[john l smith]

As I age I have become ever more inclined toward the glory of our trees
It hurts every time I see a mature tree being cut down
Recently a $50,000 fine was handed out when a large oak was illegally felled
I have seen nothing as large as your tree and it must be magnificent with, as you say, many stories to tell
We need to all defend our trees and forests

[Chris Shaw]

You feel the same way about trees that I do. I also hate to see them felled. Thank you for your response Dave.

Chris

[Derekv]

Excellent poem, Chris. I've always enjoyed being among nature whenever I can, it fascinates me. I really love the imagery in this poem; ethereal and majestic, it drew me into the scene. Keep up the great work!

-Derekv

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Derek. Pleased to see you visit and leave a response. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Mark]

If trees could talk, What tales they could tell.From Cromwell to Churchill. Well, maybe thats a bit of a stretch, but still....If trees could talk! Loved the imagery! Nicely done!

Mark

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mark. What a thought. If trees could talk. Wouldn:"t that be fun. Thanks for your response. Most appreciated.

Chris