'Arbor Real'

Even a little shining bud which lies sleeping behind its twig and dreaming of spring, perhaps half concealed by ice, is object enough. - Thoreau

Walden Pond - Concord, MA

The woods rejoice when a new tree is born.

Holding a baptism for the new sapling.

Throwing a party when it graduates to maturity.

Gossiping, "I can't believe how he turned out."

"Look how big he's grown."

"See how tall."

There is an autumnal celebration when it finally shows its true colors.

And a wake when it sheds its leaves.

Turning a cold shoulder to summer.

But the sap will run hot again in spring.

Winning the battle.

Bringing everything home.

Life flows again and a promise is honored.

The uncompromisable cycle of life.

Riding out to rescue my soul.

Loyal.

Trustworthy.

Flawless.

And in that ...

... I take great solace ...

Author's Note

"And, above all, there is this difference between resisting this and a purely brute or natural force, that I can resist this with some effect; but I cannot expect, like Orpheus, to change the nature of the rocks and trees and beasts." - Thoreau

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' There is an autumnal celebration when it finally shows its true colors. - And a wake when it sheds its leaves.- Turning a cold shoulder to summer.- But the sap will run hot again in spring. - Winning the battle. - Bringing everything home.'

This one of the most beautiful and visual writings I've read in the cafe over ten or so years, Pete! Read it three times.. third time had to cover that lovely picture because I didn't want to be distracted by its stillness, absolute calm. You've so gently slipped through the seasons, adding extra touches, not to drown but to perfectly enhance each, all, without distracting from the theme. Want to say more but can't even think clearly, am still lost in your poetic masterpiece, happily

[Pete]

thank you em for sharing your kind, reflective thoughts. pic is, of course, walden pond and woods where thoreau lived and wrote. i used to live not far from and have swum in the pond and walked the woods. i swear his spirit still lives there, i've felt it. trees fascinate me as they did him - so wrote an ode to them ... :)

[barleygirl]

Sorry to be contrary, but I started out thinking your personification in V1 is too anthropomorphic for my liking. I would not compare trees to humans . . . generations of trees unfold very differently from your description, in my experience. I see trees doing a scattershot approach, throwing down millions of meaningless seeds, scores of nameless seedlings covering distant hillsides, such that a few might make it to maturity. I'm just saying . . . And then in V2 & V3, your msg takes a delightful leap into a celebratory direction, embracing natural cycles in life, such as those that feel honest & true with regard to trees *smile* You could sit in the woods for a few years like me & Thoreau . . . it helps kick this pesky anthropomorphic tendency! *wink! wink!* (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

good point. they always stand in loyalty and show their true colors unlike us. nor do they play games and waver even when someone wants to cut them down to warm their cold heart. they're better than us yet we have power over them. or then again, do we really? thanks margie ... :)

[barleygirl]

Damn! You've taken this to an even deeper level of analysis . . . this may require another poem! Or several . . .

[Pete]

Lol, you started it! stop opening cans that have worms on the label ... :)