Live Oaks Are Less Alive Without You

To Uncle Howard. R.I.P. <3

Twisted branches of the Live Oak,

River flowing with mahogany waters,

Click-clacking of large, hoofed creatures

Treading down the cobblestone streets,

And the beauty of the tallest, brightest tree

Christmas in our town has ever seen

Is not home without you.

 

Adventures in the muddied swamp where

Alligators lay lazy in the Southern sun all day,

Pressing children faces to the coolness of the glass

Of aquarium exhibits on summer’s warmer days,

Nature trails and picnics in autumn’s prime,

And our favorite road trip games

Are no longer the same without you.

 

Birthdays in the sweetness of mid-May,

Always cold, but never white winters,

Tough days when kids are too mean at school,

Dad’s temper and Mama’s bad nights:

Life

Is so much harder to get through

Without you.

Author's Note

I am really missing my Uncle Howard. I decided to write a poem for/about him. I hope he's reading these, and that he's proud.

I love you, and miss you terribly, Uncle Howard.

Reviews

[Mir]

:( This was so unbelievably good! I love how descriptive you get! It makes it so much more enjoyable to read! (Not that your more undescriptive poems aren't!) I'm very sorry about you losing your uncle:( I'm sure he's read this and was totally and completley impressed with it and loved it to bits! :)

[devon]

Thank you so much! I hope he's proud.

[Mir]

You're welcome! And I may not have known him, but I guarantee you he smiled the biggest smile when he read it! :)

[MandaBear]

This is a beautiful tribute to your uncle! I know I love it. 100%

[devon]

Thank you so much. I was actually just missing him and thinking about him, so it's funny I just saw your review on this.

[Irishbabies]

awwww very sweet poem....am so sorry for your lost he'll be soo proud of you just know he will always be proud no matter what....love it :D

[devon]

Thank you very much!

[Irishbabies]

your welcome my pleasue can you lease check out my stories..:D

[devon]

Yes, I will! As soon as I get a break from school work!

[Irishbabies]

kk thanks...me too won't be on tomorrow will be taking a family trip maybe but sunday afternoon or earlier I will so I will try to get back to you guys as soon as I can..:D

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful story in the poem for your uncle. Good to remember the good people with poetry and story. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poem.
Coyote

[devon]

Thank you for the read and review :)

[Author Rucha Joshi]

I don't know why but this reminds me of all that is celtic!
Maybe that's just me :)
But its amazing nonetheless!

[devon]

Thank you!

[River Page]

Beautiful. I love how you capture the South (I live in it too, trust me, I'm an expert), in a way that is gentle and very literary, if I do say so myself. It is relatable to anyone who has lost someone and the imagery is relatible too all Southerners. Wonderful job kiddo.

[devon]

Thank you. :)

[.]

I really like your imagery in this poem. I think it is a great tribute to your Uncle, and he would definitely be proud.

[devon]

Thank you. It means a lot. :) I really do hope he's proud.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I really liked this! It is a sad thing to lose a mentor or a friend but terribly sad to lose both. I know since I lost both in one man this year from throat cancer. My thoughts are with you.

[devon]

Thank you! He was indeed my best friend and mentor - he's the reason I started writing. I am very sorry for your loss. I know it's hard. :( I lost Uncle Howard to cancer, as well.

[morgann <3]

amazing great

[devon]

Thank you!

[morgann <3]

your welcome! :)

[Sir Jaykom]

Such a sad but beautiful ode to someone special. In this case, you Uncle. i love the nature imagery in the first stanza too. Nicely composed. Good job.

[devon]

Thank you very much :)