The Culture Tree

To me poetry is like a dance to a song being written in the moment.

The Culture Tree 

(Canvas)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

I don't see the world with my eyes 

I feel it with my heart

I don't hear the songs with my ears

I hold them in my soul 

I remember not the moments I lived

I remember the times I loved

I don't feel every tear I have wept

I know of their passing 

Pride I have found from the roots

I come from

A tree as endless as Eden's 

In the leaves of their memory 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading feel free to comment or leave thoughts on this piece.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful sentiment you have shared here Carlos. I thought of my family tree as I read your lines. Yes, I have pride in my roots and the values that previous generations have bestowed on me.

"I remember the times I loved"

What better way to live, than to love. Loving is everything.

I am most taken with this poem dear poet.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for your comment on this poem. It means the world to me to hear that these words had you thinking of your own roots. This was the purpose for writing the poem in the first place. To have the reader look within themselves and remember all those inherent qualities of past generations that define who they are. For we are but the branches and leaves of a greater tree. We pass along to our children and grandchildren the love that was given to us by our ancestors whether it was in a gift of ceremony, heirloom, prayer, song, story, or wisdom. My grandmother who had over 20 children once told me the most profound thought about love. She said in her life she had three husbands but never ever knew love. It was through her children that she finally understood what is was like to be loved. It was her precious words that haunted me when she said, "I remember the times I loved." when she described holding everyone of her babies for the first time. At times we fail to see in the simplest of moments the most profound message of life. I believe they are the waters to our roots. We exist because of those moments. Thank you kindly for reading and taking to heart the message of this poem.

[Annie]

Nice! I enjoy how you look at experiences/events through the lens of emotion. It works well here.

By the way, I see you are in Salinas. I lived in Paso Robles for 25+ years. Almost neighbors!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Annie for your thoughts on this poem. You have an observant eye because my writing style for the most part strives to elicit an emotional response. Yes we are practically neighbors. I have lived in Monterey County for all of my 56 years of life. Thank you so much again for your thoughts on this piece of poetry.

[Cherrie]

So often we miss the true beauty of a thing, because we fail to really see it.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

That is very true Cherrie but its profound memory lingers in order to remind us at a later time of its relevance. We may not see the beauty in the moment but with experience and greater knowledge we later recognize it. Thank you kindly for sharing your insight with me.

[Cherrie]

Yes many memories must age before we can see through its emotion to find the beauty.

[Fran Marie]

A lovely piece of poetry
profoundly penned with
In depth emotions spilling
forth..when one can see with
the heart ..it's truly divine ....
Nice work

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Fran for commenting on this piece. Going into the past holiday I felt it vital to reflect on the importance of sharing and what really matters to us all. We are the leaves of a greater tree that flourishes as long as we stay true to our roots. Thank you again for your words.

[William Michael Reeves]

If I had to pick a word to describe this poem it would be ancestral. Each time I read it I climbed further into the tree feeling generations of tears rain on my brain.

Our hearts do see our souls sing remembering loving moments that pass in tears proudly rooting deep into memories.

I hope you don't mind that I turned your poem into a single line. It's how my brain works. It's what I got out of it and had to write it. Hope you're not offended. I really liked this poem Carlos. Gonna go read it again...

[William Michael Reeves]

If I had to pick a word to describe this poem it would be ancestral. Each time I read it I climbed further into the tree feeling generations of tears rain on my brain.

Our hearts do see our souls sing remembering loving moments that pass in tears proudly rooting deep into memories.

I hope you don't mind that I turned your poem into a single line. It's how my brain works. It's what I got out of it and had to write it. Hope you're not offended. I really liked this poem Carlos. Gonna go read it again...

[William Michael Reeves]

If I had to pick a word to describe this poem it would be ancestral. Each time I read it I climbed further into the tree feeling generations of tears rain on my brain.

Our hearts do see our souls sing remembering loving moments that pass in tears proudly rooting deep into memories.

I hope you don't mind that I turned your poem into a single line. It's how my brain works. It's what I got out of it and had to write it. Hope you're not offended. I really liked this poem Carlos. Gonna go read it again...

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you William for your kind comment on this poem. You are absolutely correct about this being ancestral as a piece in poetry. And your words truly captured the essence and soul of this work. I do not take offense to your eloquent words my friend. I feel honored that they moved you in such a way. Thank you so much for sharing your kind thoughts with me. I truly appreciate it.

[shadrach hah]

Hi Carlos, it is good to see the world with the heart, for all joy and sorrow are deep. It is good to sing songs with the soul for the soul does hold hope eternal. I think all poets sing from the soul, therefore our emotions come from the deepest well. This is such a beautiful piece of poetry, my friend. Have a wonderful Saturday....Mike.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Mike for your comment. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. What you have said is so very true my friend.

[shadrach hah]

You are welcome, Carlos. I love the content of this deep write. Have a wonderful Wednesday....Mike.

[Stella Armour]

like this very much Carlos, it shows that emotions are our soul's foundation and like the leaves of Eden they live on endlessly..

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

That they do Stella. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem I really appreciate it.

[Betty Hermelee]

A culture tree feels like the tree of life….. what one is made of, where does your heart, soul, knowledge, love come from? Your genes and the pride you have that comes from your roots, just like the roots of a tree, in the garden of Eden….I love the structure of this poem and the words you chose to show the reader just who you are….,..wonderful write.
Best
B.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your thoughts on this poem. I feel wholeheartedly the message of this poem will resonate with many readers. It's a very emotive piece and one that is meant to elicit an internal response. And it defines the idealism in which I was raised upon. Thank you kindly for commenting on this poem.

[Betty Hermelee]

My distinct pleasure!😊