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Tears of a Tree
| Open Poetry #45 |
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Tears of a Tree |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! 
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Each head was chopped off the spruce trees in their prime, Now they stand, emasculated and mortified, sap dripping like tears. And the birds contemplate when they may have to nest, like tightrope walkers on a string, on criss-crossing power lines. - Alison |
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| © Copyright 2009 Alison - All Rights Reserved | |||
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oh_ok Junior Member
since 2009-07-20
Posts 17 |
you give profound dimension to an everyday image.. i like this. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
powerful image, sad to think of the trees like that...  |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo dear Alison, I thought that was the first step in the timbering process. The top is cut off so that the log won't break in half when the tree is cut down. Love bobby |
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Heart2Heart Senior Member
since 2009-05-15
Posts 738Scotland/Norway |
Yes this one calls to my heart, I talk to trees and hear their pain. Heart2Heart |
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WTBAKELAR
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089Utah, USA |
Alison, I think what I enjoy about you most is your uncanny ability to see the world through a whole different spectrum. I see what you saw, but I didn't see it untill you taught me how to look. Very cool, Love always, Tracey. The answer is always NO, Until the question is asked. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I see what you see Alison. When I went up to Oregon to visit a few years ago the bald hills around Coo's Bay made me very sad. Ida |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I will be back to thank each of you for taking the time to reply to this little poem. Recently, some old power lines were replaced. The old spruce trees under them were too tall and they tops were lopped. Yes, Bobby, I watched some of the trees get cut down and they did it just as you described. I know this is in the name of 'progress', but it's sad to see the once noble trees looking a bit sad. Today though I had to laugh. I saw an osprey nest and guess where it was. Yep, on one of the old power poles that was set to be taken down. It is marked with orange cones to let it be known it is to be left alone .. as are the two poles on each side of it. It was a really smokey day today but I had to get a picture for those of you who might peek in. Love A  |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
I share a lot your sensitivity and give concern to your poem. Beautiful. yann |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
I do so hate seeing trees topped...it's like stomping on the grace of God, somehow. Spruce are some of the loveliest evergreen and they grow in this coastal area. I felt my spirit groan with your brush strokes, and thought, too, how sad are misplaced feathers and nests. Evocative poetry!  |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Heart breaking, to see the elders cut before their time. Their regal majesty beheaded for our own selfish satisfaction...especially since we know the better way is below the ground. Thanks for writing this little one. |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo dear Alison, Lumber climbers are my heroes, being an old aerial person myself. Love Bobby |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I believe that trees have spirits. ~ Not as evolved as ours, but they do have auras! My family was watching a TV program about clear-cutting forests and I couldn't bear to watch the cutting down of those magestic trees in British Columbia, Canada. It pained me so much that I had to leave the room. Your poem really spoke to me.   Linda |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
You know, the thing that I like the most about you is, how you can write about just anything and everything. You are a wonderful writer and poet, Dear Alison. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
oh_ok, Thank you for the kind comment about this poem. I am really happy that you liked it. Alison - SEA, It is kind of sad. Thank you, darlin'. A - Bobby, Yep. xoxoxox A - H2H Me too. A - Tracey, You just made my day, night, week with your comment. That is a wonderful thing to tell me. Thank you, Alison - Ida Yep, it just seems so wrong. Alison - Thank you, yann. I love that you read my poetry. Alison - klassy one, "Stomping on the grace of God" - yes! I'd rather see them removed than lopped. Alison - TD, Yes, it is. Thank you. Hugs to you, A - Yes, Bobby. I agree. It's a job and it needs to be done. I am not disupting that or the validity of the job. It's just sad. xoxoxo Alison - Linda I think they have spirits too. I typed "sprites" by mistake and I think they have those too. xoxoxo Alison - Sue, You gave me a beautiful gift. Thank you. Hugs and love, Alison |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
(Regarding your comment to me), it is my belief that our subconscious holds the keys to many truths and that it will often over-rule our conscious mind. Like you, I also believe that trees have "sprites" as well as spirits. I never met an arboreal deva I didn't like!  Loveya! Linder Lou |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I love you lots, Linda. You have brought much magic to my life through your kindness, love and inspirational poetry. I know you believe in sprites and fairies - and I believe in you. xoxoxo Alison |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
How could I not read a poem by Alison which is entitled "Tears of a Tree"? And I am ever so glad I did, thank you for this sensitive, beautiful and significant write. And for that picture, which shows the birds' "know how" in difficult times. Love, Margherita |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Margherita, Thank you. I missed you when you were gone. You are so often my dose of early morning sunshine. Love, Alison |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Alison - don't like seeing the tops of trees cut off. BC |
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jbstillwater Member
since 2009-07-03
Posts 216Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Wonderful poem! Yes, I too have seen the Ospry nests on the top of the phone poles and it truely does look bizarre. In Albuqueurque, we are slowly replaceing the trees that have to be cut down by poles that have fake branches that look like Pine Trees and unless you go right up to them or already know what they are, they look a bit better than just a pole. Still sad though. Once again, I am with you on this one and will add my own little thing to: "Please support your local Sierra Club!" |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
wow...I have always thought of the trees dropping thier leaves as a sort of 'crying' but only for a seasonal death...not forever...this makes me 'feel' the trees...wonderful write |
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peaceseaker Member
since 2009-07-29
Posts 161 |
Alison...I found this read to be so touching...loved the line "sap dripping like tears?" I see it as a bit mournful for the birds being in a quandry with what has happened....beautiful this.....peaceseaker |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
Poor birdies. Your view brings to light how much humans and animals alike are stricken with sorrow upon loss of a tree |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Hi Jan, Funny thing is there are lots of good trees for those Osprey to nest in. I guess they like having the room to see around them ... maybe to have a better eye on prey. Also, they are right by the river. A friend saw one pull a fish from it one day. So, yes the poles are ugly and are slated to be removed when the Osprey move on. Funny thing is, I'll miss the poles now because I will want to watch the birds. Maybe they'll move onto one of our flat top spruce trees! They won't but it would be nice. I was watching the nest yesterday and saw the baby stretching its wings as if it is getting ready to fly. I know nothing about Ospreys but want to learn. It seems that the young one would be gone by now. Interesting. Thank you for commenting. A - And Linda, I agree. Trees have souls. xoxoxo A - luminosity, Thank you so much. Yep, I love trees and used to hate to cut down the Christmas tree when I was a little girl. xoxox A - Thank you, beautiful peaceseaker. xoxoox A - inky, Thank you for sharing that thought. Alison |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (sad sigh) I must be as defensive about the environment as the goddess Artemis was, because even seeing a single tree severed of its roots tears my heart, as it's not just the tree's life that is lost, but also the essence of the biodiverse ecosystem it inhabits, as studies repeatedly show that old-growth forests have far richer fungal ecosystems (necessary in recycling nutrients back into the soul to facilitate life and rebirth) and understories that inhabit far more species of animals than their clear-cut counterparts! I continue to shake my head wondering when our elected officials and Department of the Interior will understand why it's a necessity to preserve our old-growth legacy!  Bless you, dearest friend, this was difficult to read but I'm glad you spoke the truth here! (huggies) XOXO, Lisping Hibiscus "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" Mother Teresa |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Alison - Of course the title told me that it would be a sad write. So many are being cut down here in the name of progress that I can turn a corner and not know where I am. Trees were the beginning of "poetry" for me so perhaps it's a sign to stop. Thank you for looking at the world. Helen |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Dear Alison, those two verses tell a much larger story than I thought when I first read it. On reading it a second time it brought back memories of crows and hawks making their nest on the cross beames of the power and telephone poles that cross the never ending plains of the ouitback, where, in many places you cannot see a tree anywhere on the horizon. It is the only place they can find to build a nest. I enjoyed your poem my dear. love. Lindsay |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Alison - I feel the sadness of the forest in your writing... BC |
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viking_metal Senior Member
since 2007-02-02
Posts 1337In a Jeep, Minnesota. |
ah, industry. bologna, says I. I got a shotgun, a rifle, and a four wheel drive... I love my dog, and my truck. It's that simple, really. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Noah, Your passion, intelligence and compassion amaze me. You are a true Renaissance man in that you support so many causes through your ability to express yourself. I like that about you - and yes, old growth forests, rain forests, mangroves, etc are at risk and the species of plants, animals and birds who rely upon them are at risk too. And the world is made weaker by their demise. xoxoxo Alison - Helen, Thank you for reading and sharing your heart in your comment. The devastation is world-wide. xoxoxo Alison - Lindsay, You are right - sometimes the birds prefer the power poles. It might be where they are placed or the fact that they can see so well aournd their nests. It's interesting, isn't it. xoxoxo A - Thank you, BC. xoxoxo A - Paul, do you have Pilot Bread and Velveeta Cheese though? xoxox A |
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