Roots

(honey fungus is a b*****d killer)

in the aftermath of a restless night

i a late riser was disturbed

not by a shaft of sunlight

streaming through a rain splattered

window pane in my sloping roof

nor by the sub song of a blackbird

singing to himself nearby

i sleepy eyed was wakened suddenly

by sounds of a tree surgeon's loud

chainsaw with its sharp cutting teeth

working through limbs of a walnut tree

from a platform of hydraulic horror

i watched its agony as its wood

was systematically carved apart

while the heart of me was felled

a final farewell where once stood

fruit bearing twin majestic friends

my eyes watered as i witnessed

an end of what used to be

a sad demise of a tree on

the outer boundaries of my garden

pardon me for my sentimentality

left grieving for elders

whose backbone and leafy green

for forty years has watched

faithfully and overseen

yes overseen my roots and

the growth of me

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I hear ya! My mom married a guy & moved into his house, then promptly cut down all the big beautiful trees in a climate where shade makes all the difference in summer! I was aghast! I never criticized her, because that is not my way, but I felt it was an abomination for her to do that to a piece of property this guy had owned for 50 years! Oh well! He adored her & had no ill feelings! The best poems, like yours, conjure such vivid scenes in the readers minds & hearts (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Margie for sharing. To cut living trees down is a no no in my opinion, unless they are dangerous. The walnut trees had died as a result of disease, so it was easier to see them go. Like losing old friends though. And the loss of walnuts, oh yes will miss them muchly. Always appreciate your thoughts on my ramblings.

Chris

[wordman]

they are alive i`m sure,and a walnut tree is worth it`s weight in gold

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are Ron, those walnut trees were highly valued. Thank you for visiting my Roots poem. All good wishes.

Chris

[wordman]

you`re welcome chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you.

[Carolynn]

This same thing happened in my Neighbourhood Just a few houses down - our street is lines with beautiful old Elm trees that create a tunnel of beauty and protection from the elements - they put up a new 3 story duplex and chopped the gorgeous trees down leaving a permanent gap in our street - the scenic beauty is just not the same now... in your case that one was part of your long history that became a part of what comforted you all those years. I feel your pain Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carolynn for sharing your own experience regarding the loss of trees. They do become like old friends when you have lived in the same home for years. We have lost some, but at least there are others to look out on. Very grateful for that. Pleased to have you visit my Roots poem.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

I love this poem; what a sad story of a living beauty being destroyed by by a chainsaw. A tree is like a person; it has a personality, life, a heart and to turn it into shreds of its former self is tragic ; akin to an elderly person going through hell before she/he dies. And so disheartening for the caregiver who has loved and watched someone or something grow. NICE! Fondly, Betty

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, thank you for your time leaving this lovely review fir me. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure! Fondly, Betty

[augustus]

What a sad poem! I too, hate to see such wanton damage to our beloved trees. Mind you, you won't have any leaves to rake up!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Augustus so nice to have you visit again. You know I don't mind the leaf sweeping, I find it quite therapeutic. Yes sad to lose trees, and with this stormy weather quite a few more have come down. Fortunately for me, none of mine. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

Oh My - - I know just how you would feel Chris - -- trees are alive and we need them so much for all our senses - -- I wrote a verse about the very same thing and tried to portray the agony felt as their limbs are severed - - nature speaks silently but we who want to hear can get the gist of its struggle to keep up with man-made changes.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fay. Trees are splendid subjects for poems. There is much mileage there. They are magnificent, they are beautiful, they tell stories and they have feelings. So much more besides. I appreciate your thoughts on my efforts.

Chris

[adichie]

I love trees. This makes perfect sense to me, would have reacted in the same way!!!

Love the respect given to these elders of the garden. Wonderful metaphor throughout, from the sub-song of a solitary bird, to genuine grief.

Beautiful, Chris.

Adix

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Adix. Pleased to meet a fellow tree hugger :) All good wishes.
read moreThank you for your lovely review Adix. Pleased to meet a fellow tree hugger :) All good wishes.

Chris

[sonnie ibadah]

Very emotional, well written!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you sonnie for your very encouraging review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave]

I have always loved trees, like you. I have planted several,over the years and beamed each season they bloomed. Three dogwoods, each a different color blossom. The year of my daughters' births I planted evergreens. At first only four feet tall, not they are both taller than our two story home. I could never, ever imagine cutting them down.
Love those trees Chris - take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased to meet another tree lover. Can't imagine not having trees in my garden. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about trees Dave. I love that you planted evergreens for your daughters. A beautiful thing to do.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

I love the emotion in this write and how you gave an almost human-like life to the trees.I sense that our minds think alike and our hearts beat to the tune of the same drummer! I look forward to readging your work here. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sharon. Delighted you enjoyed this poem. Very much appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris