My Jaundiced Branch

There was once a branch on a litchi tree,
Greener than emeralds, as green as could be.
It stayed, its leaves soft, smooth and true
Until a storm it couldn't get through.
Other branches, other leaves stayed strong and grew,
But my beloved branch was weak and blue.
I thought it would fall on the ground with a noise,
But night after night, I heard no noise.
Other leaves on other branches played with silver rain,
While my diseased precious stayed dry and in pain.
As other branches laughed and played with the breeze,
This branch of mine struggled with agony and unease.
But alive it stayed, night after night,
Alive, not quite living - yet holding on tight.
I worried for it, prayed, until one day,
I decided it was probably strong and okay.
And so I forgot! Ignorance is bliss,
Summer waved goodbye like a parting lover's kiss.
A fall came and went, a winter then spring,
I heard birds nesting, I heard them sing.
Days went on, I forgot to care,
Of my favourite branch, fighting with air for air.
Until one clear morning, I felt like a stroll,
I skipped down the stairs - but lo and behold!
My beloved branch, my fighter fallen dead,
An image of broken hope, filling me with dread.
Crumbling leaves, dusted with pain,
Old and parched - cursing a rain that never came.
Or a rain never enough to save my fallen friend,
Nothing to save its broken soul in the end.
I wept- my jaundiced branch had been strong for too long.
The breeze sung in soft whispers - a sorrowful swan-song.
I wonder if the litchi tree would be the same again,
If rain could soothe the scar, or take away the pain.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

First, let me say, this poem was easy to follow & understand, so a large portion of your author's note was not necessary, in my humble opinion. I definitely do appreciate the part of your note where you are asking people to reach out to those in need. There are so many living lives of quiet despair *sigh*

Now, on to your poem . . . just beautifully written, full of apt imagery & with a powerful message. You carried your tree branch analogy well thru-out & yet there was nothing vague or mystifying . . . you stated everything with great clarity. Great effort & important topic. I love reading a poem like this.

[Coffee Vampier]

As for the light hearted communication this reminds me the the story ( Not the cartoon) Of Cinderella like the branch her father gave her after his journey that brushed him as his shoulder on his way back from work.

[Inder24]

Amazing poem. Loved the rhymes it presents. Truly a person who stays close to us can make a positive impact in our life. Keep up the good work.

[anne]

This branch of mine struggled with agony and unease.
Beautiful verses :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Rhea, you crafted the metaphor beautifully, with some great rhymes. And of course, the message is spot on!

[WitheredWhite]

You are too right... it is important to lend a smile and sometimes an ear, maybe a shoulder when we feel we are strong enough, but we cannot fix what others cannot fix for themselves. They seek something in us they don't have. If you give it away, they won't know how to nurture it, and you don't have it anymore either. I have had PLENTY of friends I had to let go of because there was nothing I could do. It is very very draining to be dragged down by others. It didn't matter how much I talked to them or listened, they didn't get the proper help they needed, and for my own sanity had to let go. I think it is important not to take these things to heart too much. It is okay to let go... sure check in once in a while, but we can only really help ourselves internally. Well written, But I hope you hold no guilt over this personally.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story written in the poetry.
"I wept- my jaundiced branch had been strong for too long.
The breeze sung in soft whispers - a sorrowful swan-song.
I wonder if the litchi tree would be the same again,
If rain could soothe the scar, or take away the pain."
The above lines were my favorite. You left the reader with something to think about. The good flow of thoughts led to strong ending.
Coyote