Sequoia sempervirens

My impression upon meeting my first ever California Coastal Redwood. Have been thinking of this since I returned to Missouri.

 

Shaded canopy

shrouds above

falls to ground

softly covers

 

lancet lights

pierce above.

Extended hand

touches another

 

determined soul-

strength within

soft and firm

cinnamon skin.

 

No speech

to start-

softly spoken 

from heart

 

mention ancestors

asleep in grove.

One left

stands alone

 

stands long -

longer pray

tall and proud

endless day.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Wonderful use of description Carl. You allowed the reader to see the Redwood trees. I was lucky. I was station at Fort Ord and I crossed the mountain three times. I did the highway 40 route from Michigan to California. Crossed over to California from Reno. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry. You gave me a field trip to a beautiful memory.
Coyote

[andrew mitchell]

A lovely write Carl on those majestic trees and the size of them are beyond belief. I saw an old photo with one having a tunnel carved out so a truck could go through and all these people holding hands around the circumference.

[Elizabeth]

I love the structure of the poem and the alliteration and imagery.....thank you for sharing this amazing poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

endless day, endless height...arms extended...
they shield, they guard, they are majestic.
Your poem captures the exquisiteness of these trees.
j.

[Red Brick Keshner]

A poetic guided tour that includes personal touches and notes which bring the experience to life. I have yet to meet these majestic redwoods in the flesh, only being acquainted through film and magazine. Thanks for sharing.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Once again I find myself drawn to the structure and the syntax eliding most connective words that mimics the hard body of the tree.

Winston

[AYVID N]

The tree is grand and you describe its habitat beautifully "ancestors asleep in grove."
Trees are noble because they brave so much nowadays.
You make me want to pray for him too. Beautifully written.

[carl]

thank you for the read a response. The encounter was a very moving experience for me.

[AYVID N]

Indeed, nature has that effect on us, spiritually. Especially, such a tree.

[Soren]

Carl it struck me that this poem physically resembled the tree. Years ago I went to see the sequoias and I felt so mall looking up those trunks, that seemed to extend forever upward before the first branch appeared. Your deliberate organization of words in a tall pillar reminded me of them. Furthermore, the cadence was like a march and it seemed I was among an army of giants in this forest. Very nice

[Troy Dean]

wonderful, I feel like I know him reading this.
lancet lights
pierce above-
Extended hand
touches another
Creates more than just an image for me, its almost as though I'm momentarily there, looking up. Great poem

[John the Baptist]

The spare delivery here says much more than wordiness could. The imagery and alliteration add to the effect. I have never seen a sequoia personally, but this poem conveys the awe I know I would feel in the presence of one. Well done.

[carl]

thank you kindly. Awe is absolutely what I felt. Not sure you are suppose to, but had to reach out, touch, and pray for him.