»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #36
»
Distressed Wood
| Open Poetry #36 |
|
Distressed Wood |
|
Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
|
Distressed Wood Wood is time; each tree records its truth, inscribes the careful circles of its passing here, and I say wood, cut time to make a house and wonder why the syncopation leaves me wry and wanting. Where are my rings? Year by year I seem the same, with only skin, no solid echo of my living and worse, I know I am less; I’ve neither grown nor thickened, my leaves may molt like feathers but they give me nil, not even color anymore. And so the very wood of me grows from the start distressed, pitted at its inception, cell by cell my grain skewed, knotted by the failed starts and tries at being what I never was nor ever could become; my lot to pass unmarked, uncut, unused. |
||
| © Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
ahhhh, Ed...this is sad, yet....it made me realize that I would like to be like a tree too, and for those very same reasons. You are a person, and years just wear differently on people....the lines are written in wisdom and truth from lessons learned. Yep, your beautiful!  This poem is really well done! |
||
|
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I have no rings either... lots of bark though for sure  loved this! hugs |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Good one Ed, I enjoyed. Caused me to respond, with an off the top post. martyjo |
||
|
LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Ed, to me, this depicted “mankind” and his/her corrosion by societies warp sense of success leading to corruption and a lack of awareness...humans have put great emphasis on all the wrong way to succeed, and not one should have a dollar sign on it... Enjoyed! |
||
|
inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
i love to sit among them and i remember i was once a sapling starry eyed with wonder my eyes were wide with awe i know they still embrace me when i need their loving arms |
||
|
Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
Each tree in the forest contributes to the whole and has great value as we are learning every day....You too have weathered the storms of time with each storm strengthening you heart as you moved on...it is the affect of all the storms that has shaped you into this person who can write with true feeling...Stand tall for were you to look from the outside in I know there is more you have accomplised then you can see...*big hugs* |
||
|
Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Ratleader Just make your mark on the cave wall Where the ancients painted all. |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Where are my rings? Year by year I seem the same, with only skin, no solid echo of my living and worse, I know I am less; I’ve neither grown nor thickened, Ah, my friend... This would leave me filled with sadness if I thought it was autobiographical. But how could it possibly be? For the echo of your living is etched on the lives you've touched... your growth is steady and incessant... your grain the very definition of fineness... and if the pretty swirls aren't visible, it's because you still stand tall... through a life that would have toppled a lesser man. So... I must assume this is poetic genius at work. *S* And as such... it epitomizes the reason I call you just that... this is incredible! *S* |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Well, maybe I should let you in on a secret? I sometimes make mobiles (kinetic sculptures) from driftwood, seashells, and anything else that suits my fancy. My favorite driftwood sculpture candidates are bent, gnarly, and 'non-conforming' pieces that caught my eye. And each unique piece gifts the completed mobile a sense of wholeness, beauty, and balance. |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...James |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Ed, my son who has worked with trees said to tell you, you are a mimosa because of the beauty you pass on... martyjo |
||
|
Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Tell him he's right. That tree holds a special place in my heart. There are trees whose flowers are more beautiful, but.....mimosa is my flower tree. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Good, I am glad he choose the right one. He loves that tree and also the Golden Rain tree. He wonders why he does not see them here as often as he thought. But in Florida the Golden Rain tree is too prolific. I agree both trees are beautiful. I saw more Mimosa trees on my trip in Ct. than I see in this area. North central east coast of Fl. Best to you , martyjo |
||
|
miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Ah, shucks, Ed, you leave your mark! You know you do, or at least I hope you do! I remember a poem you wrote for a very distressed person about a year ago. You hit the mark on the bulls eye with her, when no one else could, not even those closest to her. I think this is where I'll stop today, just to ponder... I love the way your mind works, always comparing, analyzing, making metaphors and analogies... Take care, my friend. misc'e [This message has been edited by miscellanea (08-15-2005 09:58 PM).] |
||
|
Goldenrose Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665 |
A fanatstic poem....enjoyed how a tree would ''think''..if they could what wisdom would they impart?...Thnk you for this one Ed enjoyed immensely... Goldenrose. Desire for nothing except desirelessness,hope for nothing except to rise above all hopes, want nothing and you will have everything.avatar Meher Baba. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
