The Tree

It was the big tree that caught his eye

Standing out like an urban beacon

Just waiting for that human touch

The old woman with the two legged dog were perfectly matched

The dog with wheels at the back

The old woman pushing her Zimmer

It wouldn't even take the strongest branch

He was sure of that

The tree was in agreement

The old man shuffling up the street

So undignified and wasteful

Where would it end

It wouldn't even take the strongest branch

He was sure of that

The tree was in agreement

It was the electric chair that caught his eye

Going like the speed of death

Really, where would it end

He had made up his mind

It wouldn't even take the strongest branch

He was sure of that

The tree was in agreement

It was the two legged dog barking that alerted the old woman

Stopping her Zimmer before looking up

She shouted to the man in the wheelchair

Sadly, they couldn’t save him

It wasn’t even the strongest branch

The old man shuffling, remarked

He was sure of that

The tree was in agreement

It wasn’t even the strongest.

Reviews

[Unspoken poet]

I really enjoyed this write, strong write here.

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Unspoken poet, like your stuff.

[Unspoken poet]

thank you so much

[barleygirl]

I'm not picturing the sequence of events as clearly here as maybe you do, but still it must be said that wheelchairs & wobbly old folks can be quite hazardous, especially if all together on a collision course. I wonder if your symbolism could be stretched to include this as a statement about how we humans have mishandled the planet, old people like battering rams, taking out trees willy-nilly in a quest to boost fossil fuels so we can avoid going green (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Paul Bell]

This was actually about a young guy who saw old age and hung himself before he could get there. Told you, it's in the water.

[adornoscousin]

I love the idea of the urban beacon. What a powerful image. I think there are so many of these types of things around us like your poem captures.

[Paul Bell]

Definitely not many urban beacons left, city planners forget to pencil them in.

[texasjane]

Well done. I was engaged all the way to the end. Love your style. You have a new fan.

[Paul Bell]

Ditto, texasjane. Did I see Texas under snow?

[texasjane]

Not today, but we did have a snow storm that shut us down for about a week. We have one of those about once every 5 years. The virus did not shut us down but the snow storm did. Glad to see it go. I like to look at cold weather not live with cold weather.

[Paul Bell]

We see the sun in Britain we take off sixty lairs of clothes for half an hour.

[emmajoy]

' .. So undignified and wasteful ~ Where would it end ~ It wouldn't even take the strongest branch ~ He was sure of that ~ The tree was in agreement.. ' Enigmatic poetry

Maybe this is how nature rebels or gets is own back on those focussing on urban beacons rather than trees that have maybe stood for years, and, a change of outfit each season!. Your elderly darlings have this and that in their mind: keeping going in a straight line, maybe. Not sure whether to smile or cry at the core of these words. Fine writing, as ever always, Paul. Remember, a sip in time questions one's journey home ~ expect the tree would be in agreement.

[Paul Bell]

The urban beacon is now the pub that's been shut for what seems like forever. I've noticed people hanging outside bars in anticipation. I've not lowered myself to that stage yet, but not far away.

[emmajoy]

I realised that when saw another reviewer's remark. Socialising over a drink and perhaps a good local group playing a touch of music is a real night out in the sticks.. and one can walk home!!! Must be honest though, think I'd prefer to sit outdoors til a while.. :)

[Paul Bell]

I will be sitting outdoors, the bar doesn't open till eleven, I'll be outside at seven A.M. lol

[emmajoy]

Laughing.... enjoy! If as cold down here, suggest e, something with lots of spirit but no ice!

[Paul Bell]

It is freezing here to the polar bear remarked breaking the ice in the potholes hunting for fish, and I thought I had problems.

[Beccy]

That's what comes of hanging around trees; you get to find out, like Bonnie Prince Charlie, (and the latest Charlie,) that their bark is equally as strong as their bite. :))

Beccy.

See you down the pub sometime. :))

[Paul Bell]

Always loved climbing trees as a kid, even had my own oak tree in the garden. Plus, trees guide you home from the pub. How many drinks will it take to get us drunk since we've lost a yearts practice.

[Beccy]

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I've been been practicing in secret. Hic! :))

[Paul Bell]

Kept that quiet.
Did you bury the bottles.

[Beccy]

Put them in a neighbour's recycling bin. Last I saw she was being carted off to a rehab centre. Serves her right, I never did like her. :))

[Paul Bell]

She had it coming, hopefully she'll be back for the next lot.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'The Tree'
Paul Bell,
This speaks to the intransitoriness of all things. What I liked in this writing was the ability of your subjects regardless of position to keep speaking, keep trying. Not being the strongest does not mean we cannot get stronger in a number of ways. Time will take and give and who is to say that it cannot be good?
Like this:
'the old man shuffling, remarked'
He was sure of that'
The tree was in agreement
It wasn't even the strongest.
Blessings to you
Kathy

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Kathy, hope the year is going well.

[Dave Brown]

I have always felt, while walking through the woods, that they were watching me

[Paul Bell]

Especially at nighttime when the woods come alive.

[Betty Hermelee]

I love the way you personify the tree that should be the strongest. Well it should be until it wasn't when the man in the Wheel chair took it down.. with everyone else watching horrified!!! I really like this poem, your repetition, and great imagery.
Best, B

[Paul Bell]

Beware of wheelchairs in motion, big wheelchairs. lol

[Betty Hermelee]

I love your poetry, there is always a message, but you make it such a pleasure to read! I will read more!
Best, Betty

[PamiAnde]

Powerful, vivid images, Paul. Rocked me for sure. I am a bit confused... I see three people, the old lady with the dog, the man in the electric wheelchair, and the shuffling old man. I got thrown because the old man shuffling remarked after they couldn't save him. Love the repetition of, "He was sure of that. The tree was in agreement." I'd consider deleting the words "remarked" and "he" in those ending lines. That'd clear it up for me, anyway. Great poem! Oh, and personifying the tree, nice!

[Paul Bell]

I was angling the poem to the 3 old people getting killed by the storyteller, but in the end he killed himself cos he didn't want to get old. lol

[PamiAnde]

Lol. Interesting where the writing will take ya!

[Paul Bell]

Hopefully the pub when they reopen. lol

[PamiAnde]

I'll meet ya there!