Chapter (8) I HEARD A TREE CRY.

       

I HEARD A TREE CRY.

 

 

               Down the hidden valley a single river flows

                 Where neither man nor beast is seen.

                 Beside the troubled waters an old tree  grows

                 not strong nor straight but crown of green.

 

                 Bare branches the winter frosts festoon

                 Till sprouting shoots of  green in spring

                 As summer days are gone too soon,

                 and autumn colours bring.

 

                 No birds build nests between her leaves, 
                 no beetles, mice, or fungus slime. 
                 She just abides alone and grieves 
                 while earth rotates in space and time.

 

                 She is the last, a monument to times gone by.

                 Since pollution caused the earth to fail.

                 Like ancients, her arms outstretched towards the sky.

                 It's too late to search the holy grail.

 

Author's Note

ALL COMMENTS PLEASE. BE HONEST

Reviews

[CAPOLAVORO]

I just love the first four lines others seems like a river flow but the crowning glory are the first four lines. Such a splendor, such sad. The poem gives more than just meaning MAD E. Aside from nature, I thought of it as a desire for life. ;) Great job on writing this one.

Sincerely,
CAPOLAVORO

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Many thanks for reading and this lovely comment.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

MAD ENGLISHMAN,
'I HEARD A TREE CRY'
I think its good to ponder the possibilities of life and death sometimes. "Beside the troubled waters an old tree grows.
some things are precious. This earth is precious.
Trees are like a gauge of our environment's state of affairs.
"She just abides alone and grieves." and "She is a monument to times gone by."
Although this does seem to be a tribute you have still given it some happy words too; till sprouting shoots of green in Spring.
A very well thought out poem with a lot of meaning.
Blessings,
Kathy

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thank you for reading Kathy. Nature has always fascinated and intrigued me. I've written a few about trees, mainly cos I like trees. Have you read this one http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/MadEnglishman/1801562/

[Marie]

The last tree...very sad. I don't mind punctuation or lack of it, but I don't understand the punctuation in your last verse. It seems to me a comma or period should be put in a better place.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thank you my friend you are quite right. I missed a full stop.

[Frieda P]

Is 'she' mother earth? Either way, I adore this one, I know you're obsessed with punctuation but all your periods bother me, especially in the title, I don't see a need for it, not in poetry. We differ in our views, I know. This is poignant and a powerful piece of poetry, you've painted it so well.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Yes we do use a lot of punctuation. It's built into our education I guess. Thanks for the great comments.

[Frieda P]

It was in mine too, but not in poetry, live a little Mad. :)

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Are you trying to teach a very old dog some new tricks. I can't even say I'm long in the tooth cos I've lost most of mine.

[Frieda P]

Ha, never to late, never.....you have to bend or you break. :)

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Cor, if I try to bend to put my socks on, my bones creak.

[Frieda P]

Sounds like another poem coming up....nice imagery there!

[MomzillaNC]

Wow! A powerful wake up call…

One note, in the third stanza, you use the feminine pronoun, but use the masculine in the closing stanza.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

ooooooooow you are so right. MANY many thanks for the heads up. I'm changing it now.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.