Saturday, January 19, 2008

me, and the tree

I hold you,
I cut you
you forgive me
because you still live
smaller
stronger, more shapely.

I climb you
we sway together in the breeze
enjoying the winter sunshine.

I sit in the crook of your branch
and get the view that only the birds have.
So many places the squirrels have chewed you
and the woodpeckers drilled

You make a home for them all
and when I harvest your wood,
you can make a home for me,
a walking stick, or a piece of furniture.

The forest is full of your kind
but everyone is just special enough
to make me smile, and wish for more hours in the day
to climb, to visit, high in the arms of a strong friend.

11 comments:

Catherine said...

I've always wondered if trees feel pain when we prune them. Better a clean cut though, than a branch wrenched off in a storm.

David Edward said...

i am cutting dead and weak limbs before our next storm.
Old oak trees, good burning wood, and so beautiful in spring and fall.

Dawn said...

I love your blog this will have to be a regular stop for me.

Michele sent me and I will do some more looking around on here.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Pruning my CSucculant plants makes them grow more and stronger. Is that also true of these trees? It's great that you enjoy them so muchg, David....!

Michele sent me tonight!

Anonymous said...

Glad I was sent by Michele here. I like the reflection on tree. Your verse is really good.

Anonymous said...

Your poem seemed very heartfelt. Have you read "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein?

Michele sent me.

David Edward said...

the Giving tree.
a favorite, since my High School years

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Michele sent me back to you again, David....It is wonderful that the Tree gives you so much pleasure and warmth, as well...And you help it to grow bigger and stringer. A Mutually dependent relationship that works! (lol)

Terry said...

Dear David...Here I am back reading about your tree.
I have always loved trees.
A couple or years ago at the country home where I worked, one grand tree near the house was felled by a strong wind during the night.
When I got to work a couple of days later, my heart almost broke to see it laying on the ground...like a mighty fallen giant.
About a month later after of course, the tree had been cut into logs and piled into neat piles on the woodpile, and all that remained was a stump where it had once lived, I was so amazed to see a tiny living twig beside that trunk and there peeking its tiny head out of the ground was another baby tree growing!!
I kept my eye on that tree for a year and a half ,taking almost a daily picture of it whenever I worked.
Oh it even had tiny little leaves that changed to a bright golden brown, the last time I saw it!
Alas, I lost my job several months ago and I quite often wonder how that dear tree is faring!

Well I have to run, but I will be back again to read this poem!!......love Terry

Anonymous said...

Lovely words as always David - you have such a gift!!

AngelConradie said...

awesome poem david!