WE THE BIRDS YOU ALWAYS CHARM ATOP LOOKOUTS!

I am very kind to my own poetry as I find my own poetry to be an inspiration over other poetry.

Immutable sentinels, we arboreal stand,

Mimicking rivers that eternally span,

In twilight hours, solitude grand.

We bear the pallor of chrysanthemum's hand,

Mirror the majesty of heaven's band,

Silent shade 'neath my window, in quiet reprimand,

How could such echoes in oblivion disband?

Absent your essence, my words strand,

Their formation thwarted, unable to command.

A bee dares disturb tranquility's land,

Silence resounds, a retort so grand.

Patience in man, a dwindling sand,

Yet, the forest in its reticence expands.

Who could foresee the forest withstand,

The unfaltering march of time's demand?

No longer languishes in canopy's hand,

Its verdant embrace of the woodland.

Saw-whet owl, in tree-heart land,

Discerns tall grass whispers, a secret band.

Who could foresee an atmosphere so planned,

Buzz of bees, dusk's encroaching stand?

No man in isolation, within forest's band,

Just forest, meadow, and I in this land.

No man breathes life, with forest hand-in-hand,

No man trades, no man withstands.

No man weeps witnessing life's command,

Forest's relentless cycle, under nature's brand.

Thus, the forest persists, life's demand,

Intertwined roots etch trails in the sand.

:: 06.22.2023 ::

Author's Note

This is a profound meditation on the symbiotic relationship between nature and humanity. The poem, crafted in beautifully nuanced verse, unfolds with vivid imagery that paints the portrait of a world pulsating with life, the forest becoming an entity that withstands the march of time, man's fleeting presence, and the cyclical rhythm of existence itself.

The speaker describes themselves and other humans as "immutable sentinels," hinting at their seemingly steadfast but ultimately temporary role within nature. The comparison to "rivers that eternally span" underscores the contrast between the enduring, ageless aspects of nature and humanity's ephemerality.

The second stanza explores the forest's inherent beauty, likening it to the "pallor of chrysanthemum's hand" and the "majesty of heaven's band." This accentuates the forest's grandeur and awe-inspiring quality, but also its tranquility, which is abruptly broken by a bee in the following stanza. The breaking of the tranquil silence by a bee's hum serves as a metaphor for the introduction of disruptive elements in an otherwise harmonious ecosystem.

The poem then delves into the theme of patience and resilience, attributes embodied by the forest. It refers to the dwindling patience of humanity, presumably alluding to our incessant desire for progress and growth that often conflicts with nature's pace.

The saw-whet owl's journey and the omnipresent "buzz of bees" signify the constant dialogue in nature, while the mention of "dusk's encroaching stand" could symbolize the potential threats and challenges to the ecosystem.

The lines "No man breathes life, with forest hand-in-hand, No man trades, no man withstands," emphasize humanity's failure to realize their insignificant role in the vast scheme of the natural world. It suggests that humans neither give nor take life from the forest, nor can they control or dictate its existence.

The poem concludes with the forest's persistence in the face of life's trials and tribulations, signified by the enduring, intertwined roots. It serves as a reminder of nature's ability to persevere and sustain itself, a testament to its resilience and inherent strength.

In summary, this poem offers a reflective journey into the intricate dynamics between humanity and nature, evoking themes of resilience, interconnectedness, and humility in the face of nature's grandeur. It urges us to reconsider our role as stewards of this earth and to understand that we are but temporary guests in a world that will persist long after we are gone.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I found your author’s notes fascinating. So in depth. Yes, nature is resilient. It will be here long after we have gone. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our best to preserve it while we are here. I remembered seeing an old disused rail track. The last train had long gone years before. Trees were growing between the tracks. You could barely see what once had been there. Mother Nature reclaims. That shows our own insignificance in the overall picture. Plenty of end rhyme in this poem and some wonderful imagery.

Chris

[E.P. Robles]

You should be sleeping dear! :)

[Chris Shaw]

Our weather is unusually scorchio. Not easy to sleep. We are on the cusp of dawn, hoping to get some shut eye soon.

[E.P. Robles]

A colloquial term. :) Yes, heat. It was only 103F today here. That's 39C for you Brits :) Next week it will be 43 C or 114F. My air conditioner will not work at that point. Then what? Like last year I will go to the pool.

[Chris Shaw]

I would fry over there. At least you have air conditioning. We don’t in our homes, because high temperatures aren’t the norm here. Anything over 78F, is too much for my English skin:)

[E.P. Robles]

After 105F my air conditioner gives out. Then, oh then. Hell. Sweat! Unbearable!

[Akinlolu]

Your verse marches with a consistent inward syncopation that is custom made and strictly of its own making. I enjoyed it at my first reading. I'll have to savouri it a couple of times more.
Akinlolu

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and I think of all the forests destroyed because of industrialization and progress. What kind of progress is it that we destroy the beauty of nature.
You breathe the majesty and life of the trees into this well-shaped write.
j.

[D. Mansfield]

What an amazing piece of writing, very good, thank you

[Dave Brown]

Contradicting myself re; review comments, I strongly relate to this piece as we live well within natures boundaries, having deer, bears, etc. regularly, politely using our front yard as a convenient pathway.
Additionally, I often paint old rusting vehicles that are slowly being overcome by moss, trees, ivy etc.
I consider it great subject matter and when an area of trees etc. is slaughtered for another high rise, it is a sorry occasion
blah, blah, blah
Enjoy your day

[E.P. Robles]

You painted something new. Thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem shared my friend. I saw nature return in one year after the fires at Big Sur. Nature will outlast human life.
"No man breathes life, with forest hand-in-hand,
No man trades, no man withstands.
No man weeps witnessing life's command,
Forest's relentless cycle, under nature's brand."
I liked the above lines. Too many people. Poor nature had a fight coming and she shall victor. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[E.P. Robles]

I am honored. Many thanks!

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome my friend.

[E.P. Robles]

Thank you ALL for your comments!