European Beech Trees

I wrote this as part of a poetry challenge and the prompt simply asked of us, as writers, to write (as literally or figuratively as we choose) about a forest, a tree, or both.

Plaid pillow and swollen fleece blankets

European beech trees on either side of us

We couldn’t sleep at home

The air here smells fresher; feels safer

Broad wooden stalks hang above our faces like crystal suspended in the breeze

Sunlight swims gracefully through flowery leaves

His hair flows angelically in a soft-blowing wind

His eyes flutter like the swaying branches

He smiles in his precious sleep; he’s dreaming

He is so beautiful

He only dreams when we come sleep between the European Beeches

This is where he belongs

Fearlessly melting to rest in the grass; it feels like thread

I’ve heard him mumble my name when we sleep out here

Every time we come here

He says the navy sky and whispering branches remind him of why he fell in love with me

We fight

And the Beeches bring us to a tearful and heartfelt exchange of apologies

We make mistakes

And the Beeches remind us we are still human… and we will go on

Like the tulips in the rain

I watch him as the sun rises

Orange rays kiss him as deep as I do

I rest my head on his chest and feel his heart tapping on my ear

Knocking, perhaps; asking me to kiss him

To wake him up,

I rub his shoulder and brush off the leaves that keep falling on him

Even though it is in the middle of spring.

He opens his eyes and kisses my lips

His faint childlike giggle makes me grin uncontrollably

His hands cup my face like I am sad little girl

“You have to wake up”, he says.

I open my eyes

I'm alone

My face is stained with tears

It’s red and angry and burdened

I can’t breathe

Not even the trees

Can take away this pain

Author's Note

I welcome all constructive criticism! Let me know what sounds good and what needs improvement.