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

[AJNJ]

Big, dense trees have something very maternal about them. This queen of a tree has just such a benevolent shade, a solace from the solar glare that offers a home in the glade, away from your home!

We don't have this particular species in my place but we have others, perhaps similar in their allure. My favorite has always been the Tamarind tree. I could gladly die under its fragrant canopy! Such a fantastic poem, Ms. Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pestonjee for your lovely review. I now want to find out more about the Tamarind tree. If you could gladly die beneath its scented canopy, that is quite something.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Perhaps I'll write a poem on it then...

[Chris Shaw]

I would be delighted if you did.:)

[AJNJ]

.....will try.....thanks 🤗

[Gaurav]

your words are immersed in sense of gratifying zeal that overwhelms the world and literature...stunning poem :)

[Chris Shaw]

Gaurav I truly appreciate your very encouraging review. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Lorry]

We have them here too Chris, but use them to take cover from the angels tears rather than this strange and exotic heat thing you talk of.
They work just as well for both purposes, but with our version you need acceptance... Acceptance that one ice cold drop must baptise our neck and make us want to chop the tree down, build a raft and sail off to faier climes... I hearthe arctic is warming up these days 😀
Like the perspective your thoughts took here Chris, which left me wondering that there must be a myth or legend behind the kings and queens being rooted to the spot, eternally hoping that the wind brings their branches together for the briefest touch from their other half, and the frustration of being able to see and not touch.
Maybe that would explain autumn better, where leaves are tears shed in despair of being eternally apart.

[Chris Shaw]

Of course you can be sheltered from the rain, just as you can be sheltered from the sun. I am beginning to feel sorry for you lot up there Lorry. All rain and no sun. I have to say, I have never been so grateful for the shade. We moored our boat beneath this tree and boy, did it pay off. While everyone else dripped and dropped in heat, we stayed relatively unscathed. I had to write a tribute for the beech, right on the waters edge in a small glade. More than thankful. Always good to receive your thoughts Lorry. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Lorry]

You're welcome, and I'm not at all jealous. Well.... 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah.. Well I know the sun is sharing more today, so enjoy :)

[EmeraldHeart]

Beautiful poem. Every word and sentence flows so smoothly. It was a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing your work.

[Dave Brown]

And I curtsy (hope no one is watching!! don't think guys are supposed to curtsy) to you for this absolutely wonderfully enjoyable write

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed this one Dave. Thankyou.

Chris

[Ana Papaya]

A lovely tribute to nature. nice feel and imagery again

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana.