Ten Pine Trees and More

I

They crowd close, surround

the barn. Sometimes branches embrace

the air. Sometimes they loom, point at me.

 

II

They are in my purview. I watch

with a distracted eye.

 

III

The sky backdrop passes. Winter

gray. Cornflower blue Spring. Smoke

drifts autumn over green.

 

IV

I am no tree but I recall

tree-spirit gave a home

to squirrels, Peter Pan and me.

 

V

What do you think wind whispers say?

Do trees have stories? Souls?

 

VI

Shaggy snow mammoths, feathered

deep with menace or bent stoic,

aged with burden.

 

VII

I crushed a fragrant needle, pricked

my finger. A drop bloomed crimson.

I slept 100 years among the pine cones.

 

VIII

A small red mother

and her two kits ringed a pine

one snowy dawn. My fingers

puddled in their tracks.

 

IX

Life before kindling

was stalwart. And then the fall.

Perhaps a king was immolated

for my warmth. Who sees nobility

in ashes?

 

X

I fell in love with you

when first I saw you watch 

the sky and listen

to the trees.

 

XI

Once upon the pine

that sheltered me I lived

in books beneath a tree.

 

 

Reviews

[africa]

This is so interesting. I really enjoyed everything about it. Thank you.

[Micheal Teal]

"Once upon the pine

that sheltered me I lived

in books beneath a tree."


I love this line , it has planted seeds in my soul from which trees of poetry and prose shall grow.

[Tara]

It just so happens that I love trees and I firmly believe they have souls and stories and they are wise. If we could communicate with them, I am sure we would learn the secrets of the universe. So, you wrote about something I love , with great flair. I am intrigued by the roman numerals. I suppose it is meant as each verse can stand alone. I think stanza six is my favorite. Lovely.

[Tim McGovern]

Did you write these all at once?
You know me and trees, i absolutely love this
I don't want to copy and paste all my favorite parts, needless to say it's like having 11 stories to go back and reread and ponder over.
this needs to be submitted some where, besides my favorites library
excellent work Shemeh
xoxoxox