Lynching Tree

Self explanitory I hope

A young couple swung from my old tired limbs.

Laughter brifted through my leafs.

bringing me sweet relief.

 

Little did they know

so many years ago.

A diffrent ride was taken.

the meaning can not be mistaken.

 

My strong arms brought death.

it rung out the last of their breath.

 

For color was the concern of the century.

 

I stood alone in a valley of grass.

by day children did climb

by night I took witness to their crime.

 

Inmoveable, I was forced to watch

As the rope they did notch

and rage pressed the deathwatch.

 

Their weight I did have to bare,

only adding to the nightmare.

 

The dying would struggle against me

My foliage would fall like tears

as the finally rested limply.

 

The scars still etched themselfs into my skin.

As I watched humankind

murder their blood kin.

 

As years passed

and my limbs sagged downcast

the hard times I did surpass.

 

No longer harassed,

I watch the season pass

My leaves change color

 

Orange or yellow

maybe even negro

They rest in one giant pillow

at my feet.

Reviews

[reflectingus]

This is simply stunning. They way you managed to bring out the cold hard truth of life, merely by personifying a tree. A tree that bared witness, and sagged with all of lives burdens, still attempting to recover, and times are changing. Your poem is an eye-opener, well done.

[Tabitha t]

Thank you! This is my favorite

[Kiari Sabon]

i love the write and it would take a toll 2 be the tree and see as it did see a hardship it would be keep up the work blessed be

[Rob Santana]

Damn!!! haha, there are some amazing writers on this site. Tabitha your one of them. How do you come up with your words? im new at this, very intimidating. I've had words in my head for years.Just started writing them down. Hope I can progress in my writing like everyone on this site.

[Tabitha t]

This site has definetly helped me grow as a writer. I am not a good poet honestly, I am a novelist. But I find that when you are inspired the words come easy. You dont have to think about it much.

[Olivia Marie]

Beautiful :) and great imagery

[Marie]

A tree has to watch so much wickedness...no wonder it sags and dies...

[Tabitha t]

yeah that was what I was trying to describe. As well as a bit of symbolism as well about the diffrent colored leafs resting together in the end

[That_Guy]

Powerful poem. I loved the foliage/tears imagery

[Amanda]

I really like this. Great poem. It was made better by the POV, I think . Keep writing :)

[Owlgirl]

Wow. The hanging tree. This is seriously haunting, and your choice of vocabulary brings strong messages and images to mind while reading. Great job. This is an amazingly sad and wonderful poem.