A Tree Poem

Those mighty trees that spread their arms

were once as tall as you.

And none have felt the sweeping strokes

of what a saw could do.

Yet underneath those street-lined wings,

resplendent in strong wood

arise a row of rural homes

where once their brothers stood.

And though I'll bask in summer shade,

I'll feel a tinge of guilt.

We've lashed with hatchets many down

to yield what we have built.

"Quell those notions of demise,"

I hear an oak tree say.

"Look around at what we've done

and what you have today!"

"The forceful sounds of violins,

the sound of new guitars;

the look and feel of brand-new books,

the storage for memoirs."

Perhaps you're right, old friendly oak,

but this I strongly pray:

that all the trees upon my block

avoid the axe and stay.  

Author's Note

The original picture disappeared. :(

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

I used to be a chainsaw murderer however, as a woodworker, I am now only taking wood that has fallen on its own and I have also done a large amount of replanting
Please forgive me.
The trouble with wood is that it is a wonderful, reusable resource
The reality is that it is partly the trees own fault
Very nicely written piece

[Relic]

I'm familiar with that particular aroma wood gives off when drilling or cutting into it. It does smell good. But I still wish I had my old trees back instead of these mass produced houses. :)

[Dave Brown]

I certainly would not argue with that

[Renata]

A perfectly flowing poem, Relic. You have touched upon a very important issue that has impacts on our world even as we speak. We humans have a lot to answer for in our never-ending quest for more space. We just keep breeding and building and encroaching into all natural habitats in the name of our own comfort. Isn't that a source of our climate crisis as well? Cutting down trees endlessly and often needlessly does absolutely nothing to help our environment except to house a few more humans and line the pockets of greedy developers.

I like the personified narrative here. If the trees really could speak, would we even listen though? That is the big question. I very much enjoyed this poem. Well written.

[Relic]

A great comment, Renata. I agree with all you've said. Thank you. :)

[Pryde Foltz]

If the trees could talk. So much history and life. How is we can miss forests we have never seen.

Wonderful write, Relic:)

[Relic]

Thank you, Pryde. :)

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

what a mournful narrative about our lack of gratitude for trees. such things we take for granted but without them life would be much more dull. i thankfully live in a part of the city with plentiful trees, and if someone was to take them away, i'd feel deflated. the fact we treat trees as a resource is more evidence of the idiocy of humankind and industiralised society espescially.

[Relic]

I agree. Thank you, Ern.

[Thomas W Case]

Very cool. Powerful and original.

[Relic]

Thank you, Thomas.

[Huh]

"Quell those notions of demise,"
I hear an oak tree say.
"Look around at what we've done
and what you have today!"

"The forceful sounds of violins,
the sound of new guitars;
The look and feel of brand new books,
the storage for memoirs." this line confuses me as the trees very demise create those things, but your poem was book worthy for sure and it touched my heart!

[Relic]

Yes, Huh. The oak tree (through personification) is letting the speaker know its importance for creating those things. The speaker, however would rather the trees stay instead. Thanks for reading.

[Twilight]

Definitely interesting, and thanks for your recent review of one of mine. This really brought to mind, a few of the values which an outdoorsman or homesteader might cling to; having worked hard at building a secure home in the kind of location which is implied. And, such reverence for those trees; which also sounds refreshingly genuine. Keep writing.! I also accept "read requests", on this site.

[Relic]

Thanks for your generous comment, Twilight. Your thoughts are creative and concise. :)

[Marie]

What a WONDERFUL poem which demonstrates to the reader both sides of the story! I adore how the writer mourns the loss of the beautiful trees felled for man's purposes, it evokes great sadness, but I equally adore what the big strong Oak tree replied which took the guilty feelings away and showed that the trees had a noble purpose. Like our dear poet Relic, I too, pray that all the trees avoid the axe and stay where they belong, giving shade and a beautiful presence to the area. A sublime write, dear R and I love your choice of graphic. It complements your words so finely. Thank you for writing and thank you for sharing. It made my day to read!

[Relic]

Thanks so much for your kind comment, Marie. You're such a great addition to this site. :)

[Marie]

Dear R... MOST welcome always. Your wonderful poetry always brings out the best in me, my dear friend. I love it beyond what my words can impart...

[Cherrie]

Like you I feel connected to trees but I also love wood work and look for the balance between the two.

[Relic]

I concur on that. Thanks for the comment, Cherrie. :)

[nadia dmitri]

Wow this is a wonderful piece, the rhyming is so well used. I adore trees and personified nature in poetry, comes off as very polished and professional.

[Relic]

I appreciate your comment, Nadia. Thanks. :)

[Vol]

Relic,
I have no commentary. I simply love this poem.
(Okay, I lied about no commentary)
Somehow this reminds me of a couple of troubles I have. First, about trees, they have personal friends since childhood. I've climbed them, built three-story treehouses in their heights, fallen to the ground from their hidden recesses, and built buildings from their remains, but most of all, I have cleansed my soul by getting lost in the lush, green depths of a forest womb.
Secondly, I also think of other things we use without thought. We delight in the intelligence of octopuses, but eat them, same with swine... I love seafood, but am done with eating my eight-legged earthly companions... Pork, though... dang! HAM! BACON! MEMPHIS BAR-B-QUE!
Vol

[Relic]

hahaha, I'd have to agree with you on the bacon. :)
Thanks so much for the comment.