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Open Poetry #14
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Hanging Tree
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Hanging Tree |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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Hanging Tree In a California town named Calabassas, where summer’s air resembles molasses, over grimy hills far from the sea, for many a year stood a hanging tree. Down Calle Caliente on limbs strong and sturdy, outlaws were lynched ‘round the end of a century. Now, that wood stands in the way, has lost its popularity, seems that small dusty lot could sprout a bank or bakery. So the town voted to do away with a bit of old west history, come midnight three hired men felled that old live oak tree. Plans were drawn, approved for a banking institution but the town folk complained, called for another solution. They missed their old mascot felt a keen loss of identity, till someone suggested a California Redwood Tree. Mostly, there were nods and smiles for the yeas had their say, a park was born, now a redwood does grace that land today. © 2001 Corinne Bailey [This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 07-09-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
A living testament to an unfortunate history...even it's lowest branches too high for hanging. Thought provoking! |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Sigh, too often our own roots are torn out just like the roots of that oak tree, all in the name of progress or a handful deciding for the mulitude...very nice write, hon, don't mind my soapbox...gentle smile |
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Waseem Cheema Member
since 2001-03-16
Posts 369Pakistan |
Very intersted.. |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
thank you, JLR, Logan and Wasseem! Corinne |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
A beautifully written tale, Corinne. "Here I am in prison,here I am with a ball and chain There is whiskey in the jar-o" Traditional irish song. |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
Corinne, tell me please, does that old oak in Santa Barbara still stand? The one that a park was placed around? Isn't it dubbed the world's oldest oak tree? How I miss the redwoods.... |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Another interesting piece, Cor. Did you see this tree. Somehow I could picture you as being calamity Jane in the old west... one step ahead of the posse.  Parker |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Corinne this is a great write...this happens all too often! The ending of this is not so bad....very enjoyable! |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Decaflame, I don't know, I would imagine that it is. I haven't been to Santa Barbara in a few years... I did see one thing once that amazed me, though. Have you ever been to the Avenue of the Redwoods in Northern California? You drive for miles and miles through a redwood forest, and smack-dab in the middle of the forest there sits a lumble company, busy doing what they've always done...Sad, huh? Thanks Park. Yes I saw the hanging tree, and I used poetic license on the poem. The real story doesn't have such a happy ending. Thanks, Ethome! Corinne |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
great job Corinne. . . you do have a way with telling a story. . . you take us right there. . . and share with us your feelings. . . that's the mark of a good poet. . . -------------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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shadow974 Senior Member
since 2001-06-21
Posts 636Michigan |
Never thought of the shady histiry the old oaks had. Thanks for the enfo great write. |
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