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]

:) …..…........

[Sneh]

Beautifully penned!
It explains the dynamics of life and a strong will... I empathize and correlate this masterpiece.
Sneh

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sneh for your very generous review. Your visit very welcome :)

Chris

[Sneh]

You're welcome Chris!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

So beautifully written Chris. Your sweet, lyrical words are woven with a melancholy thread of sadness at the plight of living things falling prey to a heartless, faceless reaper. Touching use of personification of the sapling growing strong in the shadow of the felled Weeping Willow, and also of the Willow speaking to herald her resurrection. I love the purity, flow, rhyme, pristine language and the hope expressed in this most stellar write. Kudos to you my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, you really give such wonderful reviews. Not only are you gifted at writing poetry, but your reviews are special too. Thank you so much for this one.

Chris

[Casey Luther]

I love this. Your rhythm is on point. It has a nice melody to it. A good balance of ups and downs.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Casey. Pleased to see you visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Beautiful poem Chris. I must admit, it is sad when trees are uprooted and cut down. To make way for this and that. When nature and trees do so much good for the environment and air in general.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn. I've become a bit of a tree hugger in my more mature years. What a contrast from when I was a kid, and I thought they were there to climb, :)

Chris

[John the Baptist]

This is an interesting look at the concept of ongoing life drawn from an everyday natural scene. Two figures are seen on a river bank. One is a sapling, the other the hollowed remains of a willow. The sapling, "yet to weep," represents youth, which has yet to experience life's blows. It has supportive stakes around it, which might represent family or social resources which shelter it in its early growth. Nearby, the willow bole stands like a grave marker. It might excite pity, except that it calls out to the narrator and points out that the small shoots around its roots guarantee by their existence the old tree's survival through them. It is an analogy for our own ongoing life through our offspring and our works. After it all, life continues. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous John. I like the way you have interpreted my lines. Love your response. All good wishes

Chris

[Richard M]

Beautifully sad, but happy. I can imagine being in her shade on the banks there. Wonderfully written and rhymed too!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard, yes there is contrast here and also hope. Your visit dear friend much appreciated.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love willows they are the perfect picture of a lazy summer day or great prose for sorrow. Either way I love this poem and if a willow falls in the forest a poet will hear it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Cherrie. Willows are incredibly beautiful trees. Their movements are so graceful. Your response so poetic. Many thanks.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Reading your poem was a pleasure.

[Chris Shaw]

You are always most welcome Cherrie.

[Crowley]

Nature and its wonders, and the observers of the world. They are a match for death and entropy for sure. this has a keen eye and a great big heart. You always show us the beauty or reality that surrounds us but we may be too busy to notice.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Crowley. I have more time to notice as I am no longer employed, having taken early retirement. When I worked I didn't have the time to stand and stare.

Chris

[Lyn Anderson]

Such is the beauty of nature, when left to its own devices. Wonderfully written.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Lyn. Have to agree with you, nature is both beautiful as well as surprising.
read moreThank you so much Lyn. Have to agree with you, nature is both beautiful as well as surprising.

Chris