Against The Odds

On Windsor's bank a sapling grows,

straight-backed and graceful light on leaf.

A slender willow yet to weep,

supportive stakes, no sign of grief.

Ten paces to her left resides

a hollowed bole, two metres wide,

where once a mighty willow bowed

and dipped its tresses sweeping green

into the waters cooling flow.

I do not know what fate ordained

or why or how this tree was felled.

Today I heard it call to me.

'Don't fret or grieve for me', it said.

'Look closer at my roots where shoots

will prove I live, I am not dead'.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Beautifully penned, as always Chris, and I hope you had a nice time over the christmas period...or a drunk one...or both :)
I see a lot of felled trees up here, as well as damaged ones being removed near the canal paths, and it always makes me feel a little sad, in a "got no respect for their elders" kinda way.
I dont know about down your way, but I was surprised to find out that it isnt the normal diseases causing this, like dutch elm, but they are being removed for environmental reasons.They are leeching all the industries of the pasts excesses back into the waterwaus and being replaced by young and unpolluted versions. Sad sight, the young replacing the old. You'll find that out some day :)
Ps...admit it, that was smooth :)

[Chris Shaw]

That was indeed smooth Lorry. You'll go far :)) Had a good time over the Christmas break. My glass was kept filled, but as I am the cook, I couldn't over indulge. We missed you and your fans will be pleased to see you back.

Chris

[Lorry]

I heard you all whem n I was crossing the tarmac. Felt like the beatles, until I got tasered for trespassing :)

[Chris Shaw]

:) …..…........

[Vertigo Cat1111]

First off, the title of this poem is already chilling and eye catching! And the beauty, the flow of the words, it’s like the poem captures the wind in itself. The metaphors, the phrases are simply magical. There’s something so dark but free about this piece and the words just seem to all click together. Thanks for sharing this!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Colacat for stopping by. Your reviews always thoughtful. Hope you are doing ok. All good wishes.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A beautiful piece of writing Chris with such a hopeful message. And the way you describe the scene in detail puts me in my mind's eye right there. You truly are a wonderful poet with an artist heart.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos for your lovely review. You are appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

Awww, that was a beautiful metaphor for death and life and possibly life after death.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Shelley. You are appreciated. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

You're welcome Chris.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... I am very touched by your experience.
It is true that our family Roots enable us to Carry On...
as a Sapling and beyond. My son Robert's Birthday is September 24--
he will be fifty-one years old. Already, he has spread his Weeping Willow Roots.
When my son Robert was only five years old-- he fell in love with the Weeping Willow Tree.
Your Poem has so much meaning for me. The day will come when a "Storm" will
take me down... but all the Roots will live on and spread.... and So it goes. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pat. We learn from nature. It is so applicable to our own lives. The bole of the weeping willow was like a lost soul left to haunt with its memories.

Chris

[Yellow Butterfly]

Mother nature works in beautiful and mysterious ways....

Gorgeous poem Chris....

YB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for stopping by YB. How true. Mother mature does work on mysterious ways. Take care.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared dear Chris.
'Don't fret or grieve for me', it said.
'Look closer at my roots where shoots
will prove I live, I am not dead'.
I understand the above lines. Years ago. Thunder killed my tree and now I have three of them now. It is cool and thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Coyote for your lovely review. Have a great day.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome dear Chris.

[andrew mitchell]

Graceful trees, lovely imagery. They were always fun to climb when I was a kid. We had one in our parents back yard.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. They are one of my favourite trees, because I love the sweeping movement of their long tresses.

Chris

[Dave]

I love your description of the sweeping Willow tree. Our neighbor has one and i love to see it
's branches swirling in even the softest of breezes. Immediately outside our back deck, we have a tremendous Spruce. I planted it the year my oldest was born, hence it is Cathy's tree. It was only about three feet tall at the time. Now it is much taller than our two-story colonial home. I'm always delighted with the variety of birds we've seen in it.
Take care Chris, - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave and for sharing your spruce story. That is endearing. Willows are the most beautiful trees. This one was felled because it was too close to the riverbank and became dangerous due to erosion. I love the movement of willow tresses, so graceful. Hope all is well. All the best.

Chris

[rew]

This is good stuff. " two meters wide '
Brilliant descriptive writing throughout (I'm dead jealous, cos it's that good)
"Today I heard it call to me"
Such sensitivity a priest couldn't hope to attain in a thousand years of piety. And that one line is so, so poetic that I can hear it chime from the church steeples!

A piece of inspired writing which deserves to be part of the collected poetry anthologies to be put in libraries and schools.
There is such a lovely measured beat throughout which exactly matches the sentiment and the words.
Now I'm going to find a corner to weep in, cos it's better than mine, sob.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear rew, my oh my that is such an encouraging review from you. Given me hope in a dry spell. I have been giving some of my older poems an airing. So pleased you like this one. You've got me blushing as well. Thanks a million.

Chris

[rew]

my ple asure I'm sure Chris

[Ruth]

And like life, it goes on - so it is said. I have found many a tree still attempts to grow or grows back oddly when cut down, gives me a nice feeling to see and witness life hold onto stamina - especially knowing the odds are more often than not not in our favour...lovely piece Chris, stay well :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ruth for another encouraging review. An older poem out for a breath of fresh air. All good wishes to you dear poet and thanks for stopping by.

Chris