Dead Wood of the Damson

This tree was a provider of fruit and joy for over 30 years

No longer will white blossom fall

to soften where I tread,

nor fruit will stain the garden path

in clots of purplish red.

So sawdust scatters to the wind

while kindling breaks on ground.

Logs are stacked against the wall

and sorrow lurks all around.

I counted rings that spoke to me

of seasons long departed,

the parting of this lovely tree

has left me broken-hearted.

Some may say it was just a tree,

but oh what joy it gave to me.

Reviews

[light and ashes]

When will Society realize that we can't eat money??....and neither can the birds or the bees.
All of these things provide us with life and joy for life..
For all of it's advantages, machines, and technology, Society is so stupid.
Your poem was well felt and as well as your message heard.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. I hate it when wonderful trees are felled to make way for housing. There are plenty of brown sites where homes could be built without our green belt suffering. The developers won’t be happy until all we have left is a concrete mass. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[light and ashes]

You are very welcome. They only think that they would be happy. If plant life died off then so would we.

[light and ashes]

Soon enough, they would be dead......

[Betty Hermelee]

It's easy to fall in love with a tree, even if it doesn't bear fruit or flowers; We had an old fir tree hanging at an angle.. that if it fell it would ruin our beautiful cabin ( not our house) we had many arborists study it and all agreed it should come down, very sad indeed. Your poem is so personal and honest and beautiful... so sorry for you Chris....
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for both your visit and share. An old poem. The tree has been gone for about four years now. I do miss the damson jam :)

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris
Best to you
B.

[Beccy]

Lovely poem Chris, especially those last two lines, that showcase just how important trees are to us as a species.

Like you, I hate that more and more of late, trees are felled for no purpose other than to fill the pockets of the uncaring and the greedy.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Beccy for your understanding. I am a tree lover through and through. All the best.

Chris

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

I love the woods.
It's just a tree, love that
an embarkment
----1809 Black Plague December

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Black Plague for leaving your thoughts. Much appreciated.

Chris

[1809 Black Plague December]

welcome dear, my fun

[Crowley]

I hate to see trees removed. I feel your sadness at this one.
but if it was dead or causing a safety issue or something like that, its gotta be done I guess. I love your love of nature.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Crowley. It was diseased and had to be felled. Honey fungus got to it. Took out quite a few soft fruit trees in the area. We lost a cherry tree as well. No more damson jam. Yep. I loved that tree:) Makes me angry to see trees felled needlessly . Thanks for stopping by today to review this old poem out for a breath of spring air. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Soren]

Well how did I come so late to the party? This was a wistful write of loss that I too could feel. I felt it in its literal sense as well as its metaphorical sense. Whether nature or people, loss is difficult to handle. None of us really like change and loosing someone is very hard to take. When an old tree comes down, the place is never the same.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Soren. An old poem out for an airing. Sadly the tree was diseased and had to be felled. Years of wonderful damsons though. Yes it was like an old friend. I feel its loss. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Neville]

I can imagine the sadness experienced Chris .. you paint a picture so eloquently .. I still pine (no pun intended) after an old blue cyprus tree & an acacia .. now long gone, but often fondly recollected .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

You know Neville I have such an affinity with trees. I have to say I have mourned trees more on occasions that some people. That may seem strange to some, but it is true. Many thank yous for giving this poem an airing and for sharing your thoughts too. Have a lovely Tuesday from a windy and wet Brixham.

Chris

[Great Aunt Astri]

It IS very sad when one has to fell a tree. They do become 'friends' over the years, and certainly give a lot of pleasure. I like this nicely constructed three verse poem, with the very succinct closing two lines.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Astri. Yes it is like the loss of an old friend. I've always been a lover of trees.

Chris

[Great Aunt Astri]

:}.......................

[Suhd]

The parting of a lovely tree. What beautiful theme for poem! I love this through and through.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Suhd. The loss of that tree still sticks. No damson jam this year, only memories. Thank you.

Chris

[Suhd]

You're one caring soul!
My pleasure.

[Mari' Emeraude]

What a lovely poem about something near and dear to your heart. Its hard to see the mature, majestic trees go.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your review. Pleased to see you on my page and a warm hello.

Chris

[Mari' Emeraude]

Thank you, and welcome!