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time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

0 posted 2007-07-24 01:07 AM

The canopy above
weeps rain
that mingles
with tears on face,
as I gaze aloft
at the devastation.

Within hearing
the more money,
designer clad,
heavily accented tourist
is heard to exclaim
“It’s only a big tree
there’s plenty more to see.”

Sorrow turns to anger
in moving text
on screen of brain
in silent scream
too polite
to shout at a stranger
runs left to right.

Lady! This is not
just a tree,
this is Te Matua Ngahere
(Father of the Forest)
the eldest
of the silent sentinels
in this forest
witness to all
of two thousand years
and more.

See how he bleeds
where his crown
has been rent from his head
and cast upon the ground.
Still he endeavors
to shelter his children
standing all around.

Listen.
Hear the children’s voices,
even Tane Mahuta
(The Great Lord Of The Forest)
joins them in lament.

Tourists departed,
none too soon.
Standing alone
I lean into
Te Matua Ngahere
listening to him groan
And the ground trembles
Beneath my feet.
For now he remains
Guardian to all
For how long
Is not known.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10451290

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

1 posted 2007-07-24 10:54 AM

wow Frank...thanks for sharing that link

the poem is awesome but the topic sad
glad I clicked on this

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

2 posted 2007-07-24 04:22 PM

Dixie, Thank you for the read and the comments I do appreciate it.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

3 posted 2007-07-24 06:04 PM

It's sad to lose something of such significance~~ and anything that old sure holds a special value to its people.

M

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

4 posted 2007-07-27 05:43 AM

Interesting...James

Paul Wilson

Member Elite

since 2002-07-07

Posts 4711
United States

5 posted 2007-07-27 07:05 AM

time prophet...Caring write, hopefully it can be saved and grow stronger for all to enjoy...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

6 posted 2007-07-28 10:42 AM

fine 'write'!

I am particularly fond of:

"This is not
just a tree,
this is Te Matua Ngahere
(Father of the Forest)
the eldest
of the silent sentinels
in this forest
witness to all
of two thousand years
and more(!)

applause!!

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-19

Posts 7392
Ohio

7 posted 2007-07-29 08:37 AM

all around her
come autumn time
her rainbow children
fall to ground

the passerbys
that step upon them

but seldom see
the many storms
they've worn

thanks for your beautiful tree tribute

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

8 posted 2007-07-29 03:24 PM

Thanks to all for your responses, this past week has seen much activity with attempts to tidy the wound, seal the cut, and salvaging cuttings for propagation. Could be a hundred years before we know for sure, a mere moment in the old ones life.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

9 posted 2008-01-21 03:49 PM

I hope we we don't destroy all life with our thoughtless ways. People are so concerned with their designer clothes, flashy cars ad finding their next soul mate that they seldom think of anything else.
Ida

Clang
Member

since 2005-12-15

Posts 222

10 posted 2008-01-21 05:39 PM

Thank you so much for sharing this...and the link as well. Truly sad.

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

11 posted 2008-01-21 05:55 PM

Outstanding write. I felt reverence wash over me as I learned of your dear trees.
Heartfelt.

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

12 posted 2008-01-21 06:16 PM

Marchmadness

Ida,

You must have been dredging the archives to bring this one back up. Thank you for your response.

Frank

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

13 posted 2008-01-21 06:17 PM

Clang,

It is somewhat old now, but thank you for your reply.

Frank

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

14 posted 2008-01-21 06:20 PM

ThisDiamond,

There are trees in this forest that are more than 2 thousand years old, one cannot but hold them in reverence. If only they could tell us all that they know.

Frank

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