Roots of the Broken-Hearted

We carved our initials into a tree.

Summer heat dissolved into leafy shade.

The hue of green became a canopy

for two happy hearts in love’s serenade.

The mirrored surface of the river’s flow

rippled with desire and glistening gleams;

and deeper within, in silence below,

obscured the pleasure of enchanted dreams.

 

An iridescent dance of happiness,

a lightness of being, a fervent kiss,

fanatical fire, an ardent caress,

a passage of promise and endless bliss.

We were washed by rain and blown by the wind,

swept by temptation that dripped from our sleeves.

We tasted the start but starved in the end,

scattered like the echoes of falling leaves.

 

We docked our dreams in faded memory,

illustrated love in volumes of youth.

I think of you as you remember me

standing on the unsteady bridge of truth.

Our initials were carved into a tree,

and we foolishly left it unguarded.

The narrative ended and so did we.

These are the roots of the broken-hearted.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

just came across this by chance and am glad I did
I'm sure many of us have had failed romances, however we usually find another but I have as much sympathy for that mighty tree which has fallen to the ground to eventually rot and disappear with no hope for the future,
'Echoes of fallen leaves' is a meaningful image on its own!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Dave. I am glad that you found me. The tree may have fallen, to disappear into the ground; but it provides nutrients for future growth. It returns to the earth and is reborn.

[Dave Brown]

there is actually a scientific study that supports that very premise
Sorry, I just forget the authors name
Take care

[AYVID N]

Our initials were carved into a tree,
and we foolishly left it unguarded.

These deeply felt lines stayed with me and are the crux of the poem for me. Something precious was left unguarded, inadvertently. The wind and rain of life get to a relationship and wash it out unless guarded zealously. The imagery of the tree is beautiful as depicted in relation to the onset and end of a love. The rhyming serves to enhance the flow and emotion of the poem. The reader feels the helplessness and loss so keenly. Superbly penned!

[Susan 🦋]

There is just something so amazing about the way you express yourself in poetry. Your work is simply outstanding. I feel every word. Every line just breathes into the next. EVERY piece of poetry I read of yours... is the same. Sitting here on this cold chilly Wisconsin morning...soaking up your writings.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you ever so much, Susan. Your praise is an inspiration in and of itself. I am humbled.

[Ken Simm.]

Sad pastorale romantic memory. For me nopthing finer especially when it is done this well

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

You are so kind. Thank you, Ken.

[AJNJ]

This is a very good poem to read for the sheer visualization of the shady tree of love. Your very first verse would be my mostfavorite here but I really cannot decide coz I love them all. Fantastic how the roots were hacked of the heartbroken tree. A touching tale of love. Penned excellent.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your thoughts.

[John the Baptist]

How can something that commences so well end in tatters? It seems to be the story of many romances, hopes raised, then dashed. Perhaps the part about being swept by temptation contains an answer.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It is a part of life. We learn and we grow.

[willweb]

Love the poem and the cadence, it was so song-like. Easy to read and to understand, the heart break is felt deeply. But I will say, being someone who did carve initials into a tree of a relationship that did not last. The way I see it, the bark has grown over the area but the initials are still there somewhere.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you. I love the thought of the bark growing back over the area, like a scab that heals.

[light and ashes]

This is so damn good.
....

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much.

[light and ashes]

You are so very welcome.
smile

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my tree with OUR initials was struck down by youth and distance...
our relationship was so much like what is described in this poem.
They are really fond memories, but I know that tree would never grow again...
it would just "leave" me wondering, "what if?"
j.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I think most of us have had that infamous tree toppled. Thank you, as always, Jacob.

[Chris Shaw]

Very nicely narrated story of young love gone sour. Your stanzas flow beautifully and the rhyme is totally unforced. Good job done here Linda. Much enjoyed.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Chris. I hope you are having a wondrous new year!

[Chris Shaw]

It’s got off to a reasonable start thank you Linda (except I don’t like the month of January). Wishing a good year for you.

Chris