Old Trees

Watching the patriarchs and matriarchs die off is an interesting affair

 

OLD TREES

 

The old trees are falling

One after one,

Their neighbors trembling

Or resigned,

As swaths of sky appear.

 

The forest floor rumbles:

Young ones reach for cover

Along the crash site

As the sheltering arms

Fail and fall.

 

Sprays of sunlight

Announce the sweet sorrow

Of middle-aged trees

Free to spread their limbs

Above the slender saplings.

 

Sometimes the oldsters

Begin to thin and wither

Losing their majesty

Long before they finally fail,

 

Or their children,

Too long held in shadow

Prove too weak

To reach the yearning sky.

 

But in the great forest

New champions will always come

To grow high toward heaven.

And the souls of the old trees

Will feed the whole forest

With memories sweet and sad.

 

 

David P. Eckert

 

Author's Note

This is the original version. A 2008 version will soon be posted

Reviews

[KONSHU]

Well David, I really love both versions. This one is more easy feeling, peaceful. It seems to speak of the inevitable cycle of life that befalls us all. While the 2008 version seem more direct, more heavy hitting. As I said I really love them both, but if I had to choose...I think I like the 2008 version just a bit better. Peace!!!

[Bill Hancock]

Another beautiful poem.

I could spend my day reading just your poems.

~Bill

[R. MonaLeza]

What a brilliant way to depict the life cycle. Intertwining nature with humanity is always a treat for me and you did it so well. It was sad but uplifting in knowing the cycle continues on ... Very well done!

[J. Duran]

Overall I loved it, it was interesting,
and was cool to see the cycle of life complete.
I love your sense of writing ability.
Great job, will definately read more from you.
-J. Duran

[Paul Grimsley]

i really enjoyed the message and feel of this poem. 'one after one' was something that threw me a bit but i have to say that for seeming odd and wrong at points it seems perfect at others and for the fact that it has made me think this long about one line has to say something for the merits of it. i think a few more visits and that could become my favourite part of the whole poem. i wonder of that made sense or it makes me odd. hmm.

[Krystal Waters]

One more, maybe this will help... my friend who deserves five stars, taken away by one little twit named Carlos.. he doesn't know how great this piece is. It's like taking Mona Lisa off the wall and breaking her picture... so sad...

[Krystal Waters]

Ok, I have to raise this to what this should be so I am writing again to get this up to a five. This poem says so much. About life...

[Krystal Waters]

I almost got your score where it should be. At least it wasn't down in the threeS... I'll have others stop by and help you get your score back up again. One person can mess you up but your friends can clean it up! Hey, a poem


Krstal

[Krystal Waters]

Carlos can be a bit of a twit and brought your score down... I was wondering that. couldn't figure out why someone wouldnt like this unless they themselves couldn't put something as nice as this together. I got my answer! you got another point at least with my comment.


Krystal

[Krystal Waters]

I really like how you put trees in with the family, how we grow old as our young yearn to reach for the stars... saplings... some don't make it... like your sister. This choked me up... She is a star though... she reached beyond the trees out into the sky and now lighting your way through the tough times and through the good times... she smiles... Very nice.



Krystal