Where The Shade Falls

where reigns the oak a mighty king
the beech is surely England's queen
beneath her dense green canopy
that hides me from a cloudless sky
i watch as from this river bank
the cruisers with their ease of grace
so gently smoothly sail on by

oh Fagus god of this fine tree
today in overbearing heat
i thank you for the use of shade
i thank you for the softest breeze
and from the inner core of me
i curtsey to this queen of queens
for growing in this welcome glade

Reviews

[Orphic dreamer]

“beneath her dense green canopy
that hides me from a cloudless sky
i watch as from this river bank”
You have so beautifully mastered the art of meticulous details in poetry. Each word just so magically paints a vivid picture! Fascinating work!

[Chris Shaw]

Your lovely review is so encouraging. Many thank yous.

Chris

[duff]

Vivid imagery. This checks all the senses. It's been so hot this summer i can't wait for fall!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks duff for your thoughts.

Chris

[Troy Henson]

Some nice vivid memories being recalled here. Soothing imagery of the waters edge, clouds, the sunshine....you took me somewhere wonderful here.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased my lines took you to a good place Troy. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

As a boy in England I don't recall cloudless skies or overbearing heat; however, I did enjoy picking, peeling, and eating beech nuts. Your poem made me miss that.

[Chris Shaw]

We've just had a scorching few days. You reminded me of beech nuts too. I thank you for that and your visit Roland.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

What beautiful words to describe shade and shadows, love it ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your lovely review. Thank you dear poet.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, a fine tribute to the beech. So refreshing to read about a tree we don't read much in poetry. We have fewer beech trees in my area. However, my house, built in 1906, was framed with beech taken from the property. I wish I could enjoy the shade of those trees today. Your weather reads hot like we've experienced the past two weeks.

We often fail to recognize trees and other natural things that escape mention in literature and common mention elsewhere. We should never forget all the less-mentioned wonders in our world. They surely outnumber all the other more celebrated things.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your interesting thoughts Robert. Our home was also built in appx 1906. So fascinating to know that the frame of yours came from beech trees on the property. Yes we have been having exceptionally high temperatures. We aren't used to this type of heat, so the shade of the lovely beech was very welcome. Thank you for checking in. I hope all is good with you and yours.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

You’re welcome, Chris. Always a pleasure. We’re doing well, despite the COVID crisis around us.

[Devansh Shekhar Shukla]

Wow that's great. I understood the poem well and liked it as well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Devansh Shekhar Shukla. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[...]

I guess this queen don't think she is centrum of world. She is very thankful and humble. Open and blooming in beautiful landscape near to river bank. We should all give this queen spiritual grace.

[Chris Shaw]

She certainly had spiritual grace. What a beautiful, giving tree. Thank you Martin.

Chris

[...]

We got also few beeches here. It's actually very hard to cut down. I like them for their endurance and very humble but very impressive beauty .

[Chris Shaw]

I quite like the fact that the mighty oak is thought of as the King of trees, very sturdy tree, wood used for centuries for boat building etc. Where there is a King there has to be a Queen, and the beech is both beautiful, giving and enduring. Glad you have them too.

[...]

Mostly here we got it hard woods , Beech , oak , silver and dark birches , douglas firs and for sure juicy maples . It's quiet magical place to be .

[Chris Shaw]

I envy you your maples, because we do not have the colour that your maple trees have in fall. As you know I have seen pictures of them in Vermont. They are quite spectacular.

[...]

Yes they can be . At autumn when you hike on some hill from the top you can see beautiful mosaic of colours and shades. It's almost like surreal picture and then all leaves will fall down so you see them bellow your feet that's also beautiful experience . And then snow will come and all is quiet and peaceful .

[Chris Shaw]

Once I wrote a short poem about red leaves of maple on snow covered ground. The contrast of hot with cold was startling.

[...]

Yes using of contrasts it always make any writing or art quiet more interesting and lively .

[andrew mitchell]

great work chris, had a old worldly pagan feel to it. a delightful read.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Andrew. Pleased you picked up on the oldy world feel.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... the mighty Oak and the gorgeous Beech... we have many also in our Country. I have spent years enjoying the Shade of both.
A beautiful poem that resonates within the Spirit of Grace and Blessings. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the cooling softness of your response on another hot day here. As fine as the shade of tha old tree Pat. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Chris