I care about you (a.k.a. The Young Ash Tree)

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Open Poetry #5

I care about you (a.k.a. The Young Ash Tree)

Poertree
Senior Member

since 1999-11-05

Posts 1359
UK

0 posted 2000-01-14 12:37 PM

Seventeen years on you are still young.
Seventeen years I watched you bud, unfurl and shoot your defiance into cruel skies.
Seventeen years, in each, I saw you shrivel, blacken and seem to die.

Drab and dull you were to start,
Unassuming, slow to push your space in the world,
Crowded, dazzled, choked by frothy fashionable Prunus pinking their silliness in your dour face.

But look at them now greyly bleeding away their old age in the shadow of your vigour,
Briefly flaunting faded sameness against your new crisp green.

And even the Great Storm (3 years ago),
Which stripped and tore your limbs,
Couldn't wrench your deep fought roots.

True; you bled. I bled too
watching for three days through distorted panes, the same reflected in you.

And on the third day in the calm you still stood; weak but strong.

~

Each year now about this time I gently rub the ringed anniversary scar
And, marvelling, trace the hardening growth beyond,
I know that one day, soon, you'll gently and discreetly flower,
To broadcast to the world the little helicopter seeds of your beauty and power.

[This message has been edited by Poertree (edited 01-14-2000).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-11-08

Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

1 posted 2000-01-14 12:57 PM

Oh, this is a sweet poem! I love the little "helicopter seeds".
Wonderful!
Liz

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

2 posted 2000-01-14 03:56 PM

Sounds like a beautiful tree! I also liked the 'helicopter seeds'! Very nice!

Denise

And slight is the sting of his trouble
Whose winnings are less than his worth;
For he who is honest is noble,
Whatever his fortunes or birth.~~~Alice Cary, ~Nobility~

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

3 posted 2000-01-18 05:38 AM

Phillip - well, can't go on and on here like you know I want to!!

But - I love this - it is slowly moving - like the growth of a tree and it is heavy and ripe in its power.

I am impressed - and love the intro lines.
Keep them coming dear friend.

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

4 posted 2000-01-18 06:54 AM

Philip...I absolutely love it!! You see, free verse is poetry after all

I'll tell you what, were all students as good as some I've met here, there would be no need for classrooms!! Wonderful job my friend

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