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Critical Analysis #2
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delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S

0 posted 2008-01-09 04:43 PM


A seed fell from the sky and onto the soil
A sapling sprouted from the seed
The ground was fertile
The leaves were green

The sapling was fed
Its thirst quenched by the rain
It felt the sun on its leaves
It grew for many days

Days grew into months
The sapling grew into a tree
Its bark was brown
It was tall enough for all to see

Two pieces of fruit started to grow
One on each side of the tree
The fruit were small
But you could tell they were nectarines

They were both happy
They noticed one another
One reached out
Then so did the other

The sun shined on them both
They watched each other grow
There was never a winter
They never felt cold snow

Even though they were on opposite sides of the tree
They grew to be best friends
They could see their beginning
They could not see their end

Their friendship grew into more
It grew before a year
They went into it whole heartedly
Even though there was a bit of fear

Their feelings grew even more
It always felt like spring
Their color was beautiful
You could hear church bells ring

Then one day
A chill filled the air
One of the nectarines went to sleep
As the other one looked over and starred

A late winter storm had arrived
It came out of nowhere
One called out to the other
But the sleeping one wasn’t there

The cold wind blew hard
It made a frightening sound
As the one continued to sleep
The other was blown off the tree and onto the ground

The storm had past
The sleeping one was finally awake
He glanced over
And his heart started to race

He looked all over the branch
Then he looked down
He saw the mark where she had fallen
But his best friend was nowhere to be found


Hello: As you can tell I'm new to poetry. I have been going through the toughest year of my life with the loss of multiple people, some due to death and some  due to circumstance. Writing has been very therapeutic for me. This is my first poem. When I wrote it the ideas just flowed out of me, but I need to be pointed in the right direction as far as structure, technique, ect. I posted on another forum and they were telling me about meter, blank verse ect. They gave me links to figure out what these things are, but to be honest it was like reading a different language. They did not seem to be interested in helping a beginner. I have found something inside of me that wants to be set free. I need some honest critique and some guidance.

Thank You
Casey


[This message has been edited by delrayhc (01-09-2008 07:39 PM).]

© Copyright 2008 delrayhc - All Rights Reserved
Brad
Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
1 posted 2008-01-09 05:04 PM


A couple things, Casey:

1. I need an e-mail address. (Just send something to me. That should work.)

2. In your profile, you said that you don't want critiques. You can't really post here and have that crit sign turned off, now, can you?

The only way this works is if we keep the communication lines open as much as possible.


TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
2 posted 2008-01-09 05:10 PM


A very warm welcome to this wonderful site.  
I read through it and I sensed the emotion grows with the tree until the end and the end made me cry.  

I like the idea that you describe  human relationship with tree and its fruits. The life, the vivid color, the attached but stay independent, the growth and maturing. Friendship and love and all other relationships shall grow to their maturity to show their fullest color. And sadly comes the physical ending. The loss, the feeling of sorrow.

But, a dropped fruit is a buried seed. and it will carry the old memory. and repeat the cycle.

Techniques...I shall wait for others. They think that they are not tigers.  

I like this one and it is much better than my first one.
And write more!!!

[This message has been edited by TomMark (01-09-2008 06:00 PM).]

chopsticks
Senior Member
since 2007-10-02
Posts 888
The US,
3 posted 2008-01-09 06:37 PM


I agree with Tom.

Your poem reminds me of " Immortality " by William Tomkins, keep writing.
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/native/sign/immortality.htm



delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
4 posted 2008-01-09 07:07 PM


Hmmmm. I have some work to do then when it comes to the reader seeing what I'm trying to portray. I was painting the picture of two people that thought that they would be together  forever until something came between then from out of nowhere. After the dust settled one of the people had left because of the problem and there was nothing the other could do.
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2008-01-09 10:04 PM


delray? I think this is a nice intro to who you are and what you hope to achieve.

It's a quibble of a point, perhaps, but you had a nice little story going, with detached observance until here:

"Their feelings grew even more
It always felt like spring
Their color was beautiful
You could hear church bells ring"

That "You" in the last line dragged me into an attachment I didn't feel. (And that was okay with me, until the "you")

Your "you" is my "me"--and I liked standing back observing until that point.

I hope this doesn't chase "you" away from us.

I'd love to read more of you.



delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
6 posted 2008-01-09 10:20 PM


I thank all of you who have replied to my poem so far.

serenity blaze , What do you think I could of used instead of the " You " in

"Their feelings grew even more
It always felt like spring
Their color was beautiful
You could hear church bells ring"

Thanks  

TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
7 posted 2008-01-09 11:44 PM


You may rewrite it and see if I can get it.

"and there was nothing the other could do"
as the fruit...it is hanging there still
as a person.. there is memories and there is way to continue life, right?

but you indeed ended your poem sadly.

enjoyed it.  



delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
8 posted 2008-01-10 12:45 PM


Actually, TomMark you did pretty much get it in your first post. Im sorry, but I jumped the gun a bit when I replied to chopsticks post when he said immortality. I thought my poem reminded him of actual immortality opposed to the poem with the title of immortality and thats why I thought that I didnt paint the picture properly, and yes I meant to end the poem sadly. They never saw each other again.

I'm glad you enjoyed it  

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

9 posted 2008-01-10 01:12 AM


I don't really like to re-write other's stuff. Poetry is so personal.

but since you asked, from

"Their feelings grew even more
It always felt like spring
Their color was beautiful
You could hear church bells ring"

You might have kept it removed from a personal you with something like--

"Their feelings grew even more
It always felt like spring
Their color was beautiful,
and holy as the church bells ring."

Not saying it's better this way, just more consistent.

Like I said though, it was a very nice intro as is, I just thought that the use of the word "You" kinda jabbed me center-chest.

I'm just one opinion though.

and I don't know so much.

delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
10 posted 2008-01-10 01:28 AM


Thanks Serenity

I do understand your point of view and value your opinion.

chopsticks
Senior Member
since 2007-10-02
Posts 888
The US,
11 posted 2008-01-10 07:11 AM


“ But, a dropped fruit is a buried seed. and it will carry the old memory. and repeat the cycle. ”

Casey, I’m sorry if my reply was somewhat confusing, I was thinking of TomMark's reply as much as your poem when I thought of the poem “ Immortality “

delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
12 posted 2008-01-10 12:32 PM


Its ok, I appreciate your replies.
TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
13 posted 2008-01-10 12:50 PM


Dear delrayhc, I love the poem and I love the feelings in it. And I think Chops does too.

Just keep writing. Your idea is quite wonderful to me.

delrayhc
Junior Member
since 2008-01-09
Posts 19
Delray Beach , Florida U.S
14 posted 2008-01-10 12:54 PM


Thanks TM        
Bob K
Member Elite
since 2007-11-03
Posts 4208

15 posted 2008-01-11 08:11 PM


Dear delrayhc,

         Pay attention to the things everybody says, then listen for the ones that seem to be most useful for your writing.  We all need support on the path.  Sometimes it comes from one place, sometimes from another.  If you listen, you'll start to find a path that's more uniquely your own through the forest.  There's always something interesting being said, though; always.

     For me, you're working too hard at being "poetic." Among the modern poets, Elizabeth Bishop is absolutely first rate at this.  Reading Elizabeth Bishop is like getting your vision corrected when you didn't know you needed glasses.  The whole world suddenly seems about three levels sharper, and you realize you'd never actually seen it before.

     Two books by James Wright, SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER, and THE BRANCH WILL NOT BREAK are generally available from the library.  Kenneth Rexroth has done some really amazing translations from the chinese, mostly short poems, that are breathtaking.  Some suggestions is all.

Best wishes, BobK

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