Roots

(honey fungus is a b*****d killer)

in the aftermath of a restless night

i a late riser was disturbed

not by a shaft of sunlight

streaming through a rain splattered

window pane in my sloping roof

nor by the sub song of a blackbird

singing to himself nearby

i sleepy eyed was wakened suddenly

by sounds of a tree surgeon's loud

chainsaw with its sharp cutting teeth

working through limbs of a walnut tree

from a platform of hydraulic horror

i watched its agony as its wood

was systematically carved apart

while the heart of me was felled

a final farewell where once stood

fruit bearing twin majestic friends

my eyes watered as i witnessed

an end of what used to be

a sad demise of a tree on

the outer boundaries of my garden

pardon me for my sentimentality

left grieving for elders

whose backbone and leafy green

for forty years has watched

faithfully and overseen

yes overseen my roots and

the growth of me

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I hear ya! My mom married a guy & moved into his house, then promptly cut down all the big beautiful trees in a climate where shade makes all the difference in summer! I was aghast! I never criticized her, because that is not my way, but I felt it was an abomination for her to do that to a piece of property this guy had owned for 50 years! Oh well! He adored her & had no ill feelings! The best poems, like yours, conjure such vivid scenes in the readers minds & hearts (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Margie for sharing. To cut living trees down is a no no in my opinion, unless they are dangerous. The walnut trees had died as a result of disease, so it was easier to see them go. Like losing old friends though. And the loss of walnuts, oh yes will miss them muchly. Always appreciate your thoughts on my ramblings.

Chris

[emmajoy]

I know how this feels because I feel it every time someone decides that eg. a tree blocks a view they prefer than the efforts and validity of that old tree. Understand the need for taking down a dying tree.. but those centuries or even decades of inner circles, wrapped in bark, deserve love, respect.. and need.

[Chris Shaw]

A fellow tree hugger, I just knew you would be Em. Thank you so much for your visit and your understanding here. All good wishes dear poet.

Chris

[Dara]

I can totally relate to your feelings of loss as you watched your leafy sentinels being cut down. When a wind storm knock over my ornamental pear tree, which served as a natural cover from the eyes of my backdoor neighbors, I felt utterly exposed and very sad. It grew right next to my deck and when I would sit out there, it was like being in a tree house. Your poem not only describes your feelings wonderfully, it is a tribute to our stalwart leafy friends who shade us, cover us, and inspire us. Beautifully written, Chritine.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Dara for your review and sharing your own story. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

Aside from our mutual disdain for the abrasive sounds of chainsaws that wreck sleep, I feel your pain in regards to the loss of a majestic walnut tree. I know it was a plant, but one with a history of pleasing birds, squirrels, and humans. It saddens me to see a stump where something magnificent once stood.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Samuel for sharing your own thoughts. I agree those left stumps are always a reminder of what has been lost. All good wishes.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Life is life no matter if it human, animal or plants and trees. All life is valuable. It is always sad to see any life cut down needlessly.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale for your visit and your thoughts. Much appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Maxwell Ryder]

Seeing the forests in my region of Czech Republic destroyed by man and beetle is depressing. This reminded me of what we are doing to our forests, and to trees in general. Sadder still that this was a tree which gives back food, not just shade and beauty.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Maxwell. Good to have your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

It's sad to see the demise of an old friend. The tree of youth and years of joy it has brought to you. I miss my youth tree where I grew up. Nicely written piece ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you weeping willow. Your thoughts most appreciated. Best regards.

Chris

[Pete]

those roots are deep and touching. not even the water of your tears could save it. a tree is a living, breathing thing as are we. very relatable for me. a sentimental, touching, telling tribute that i enjoyed very much ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you could relate to this write Pete. Appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Thank you.
read morePleased you could relate to this write Pete. Appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Thank you.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Only God can make a tree, but a chainsaw can lay it low in minutes. One must wonder at the motive behind the removal of this monument. There is nothing wrong in sentimentality regarding the loss of an old friend. I can only hope that it was not occasioned by the erection of a convenience store or a fast food place.

[Chris Shaw]

No convenience stores planned. It was diseased and a threat to safety, but even so it was with sadness I saw it felled after so very many years. There is empty sky where it once stood and I will miss the walnuts. Thank you so much for your visit.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Great idea. Great piece of writing. Your work always makes me introspect.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Fairy thank you so much for your visit. Your thoughts most appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Corset]

This is something that I can relate to especially if the tree is healthy and alive, less trees means less air to breathe and less quality of air it filters. Trees breath what we breath out and we breath out what trees breath in what could be more intimate than that shared breath!

[Chris Shaw]

I am without doubt a tree hugger Corset. This tree sadly was diseased and in the interests of safety had to be felled. Still made me sad to watch its final demise. I'll miss the lovely green canopy and the walnuts. Thank you for your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Corset]

same to you Chris