Liquid Sunbeams

Inspired by a tree-climbing voyage with my best friend Mary

Pale, oaken branches

spiral upward like gnarled stairs,

a natural path to the open sky.

 

I lift for the lowest branch

and haul my way up to the beginning,

following a dear friend through

her realm of air and sky.

Although the play is strenuous,

it presents a beautiful challenge;

the sky-steps become less of wood,

and more of air, thoughts, ponderings,

and the strategies to unlock its secrets.

 

At the top, pale sunlight

filters through the lush upper branches.

The world is laid out before us.

 

Then, we see it:

at the edge of a broken branch,

dozens of glimmering droplets

hang by similarly glistening threads.

Sap, the tree's blood,

coats the end of the wood

like shimmering rain.

 

The liquid sunbeams are everywhere,

now that we know how to look.

They coat the tree in beautiful shades

ranging from pure, diamond clear,

to a red as deep as true blood.

Like golden tears, they drip slowly down,

pure and shining, like nectar of the gods,

spilled down from Olympus to grace the trees.

 

It saddens me, the knowledge

that so few will appreciate

the simple beauty of the blood and tears

of these breathtaking plants.

They shine like stars themselves,

taking in light and freeing it,

breathing pure, unaltered radiance.

Author's Note

As always, feel free to critique.

Reviews

[Gandré]

oh now I am speechless. I didn't read something like this, airy, romantic and remarkable poem for a long time. I thought - this is lyrical poetry, compressed and successful, a beautiful setting of the nature's most alluring creation, impressionistic view of yours, based on an impression rather than on facts or reasoning...yeah, i was knocked sideways by the breathaking ambition of your poem. I sensed the range of emotional and cultural intelligence.

[Michael X]

Justin, very thorough and convincing display of emotional images detailing what inspiration takes
the heart and mind to new and exciting realms, envisioned in a celestial nature- the reader can

feel the same wind rustling the branches, bringing to life the magic that exists if only to be seen,
written as an adventure- departing with an understanding- contemplatively conceptualized,

entwining nature and Greek mythology, liquid sunbeams, and those things revealed to dreamers.
Take Care, Mike

[Wildfleour]

I always like when someone appreciates the small, yet magnificent gifts that nature offers. A lovely write, Justin.

[CJ]

this one is great! i love how you wrote: "following a dear friend through her realm of air and sky."

[Mary Sessions]

You did a wonderful job of making something so simple as sap beautiful. Great piece!

[Matalia Riordan]

This had a majestic quality to it. I liked the simple beauty of it. Trees really are magnificant beings and they are taken for granted most of the time. I am glad you got to experience this profound beauty. Great write.


Matalia