The Orange Tree and the Cactus

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Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2001-03-10 10:55 AM

The Orange Tree and the Cactus

I had to take a picture to see it.
To see the way they leaned towards each other,
one forested on the top with green spikes
and the other gracefully holding gold.

Oh, I know you are wondering
what I am seeing with that eye,
that circle which captures a moment
and holds it like precious truth.

I was wandering in the back yard
with my digital camera.
I saw the pond and trellis,
then a sunflower laying across the grass,
its body fallen wet and weathered,
but when I clicked
I captured the orange tree,
part of California’s gold.

It was when I looked later
at the photo still and lifeless
in the cool afternoon of my room,
that I noticed the cactus,
another side of California.
With dust and drained perseverance
it had become pulling thrusting exuberance.

They seemed so tenderly mated,
not touching or seeking favor,
just old friends in the yard.
In the grace of their co-existence
I thought about people
of mold so different,
colored by time and place.

We don’t always see who stands beside us
in equal dignity.
We see only the gold
and seek those who are the same.
In an orange grove we file
in a line that excludes the beguiling ways
of vine or pussy willow.

I have learned a lesson in love today
with my camera’s eye,
from two old friends in the back yard,
the orange tree and the cactus.

In the dew of little things,
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed.
(ee cummings)

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

1 posted 2001-03-10 11:02 AM

Fabulous, Martie! Another gem of wisdom told in your beautifully unique style!

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

2 posted 2001-03-10 11:08 AM

Martie~
The poem is as lovely as the picture.

'I have learned a lesson in love today
with my camera’s eye,
from two old friends in the back yard,
the orange tree and the cactus.'

Just LOVE the inspiration and the way you worked it !
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

3 posted 2001-03-10 11:25 AM

wonderfully touching poem Martie!

SEA

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

4 posted 2001-03-10 11:49 AM

In my past the sentence:

Loving you is like trying to hug a cactus.

has been a strong and painful metaphor, for the one I loved was so important to love, I could not help but love, but it was so hard for her to be loved, that it was painful for me. Now I am able to love her without the pain her mistrust of love would bring.

Now, I am able to see how we were like the objects of your poem. We did draw together loving in any way we knew how.

This is an extremely endearing piece, Martie. It can speak so much of prejudices, but it spoke just a bit more to me. Thank you for writing it and sharing it.

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

5 posted 2001-03-10 11:56 AM

"They seemed so tenderly mated,
not touching or seeking favor,
just old friends in the yard.
In the grace of their co-existence
I thought about people
of mold so different,
colored by time and place."

Oh Martie ... I simply love what you see in your mind's eye. You place it so beautifully to paper. This is exquisite ... what a wonderfully metaphoric piece. Excellent writing!

Best wishes,
/Kit

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

6 posted 2001-03-10 01:14 PM

We don’t always see who stands beside us
in equal dignity.
We see only the gold
and seek those who are the same.
In an orange grove we file
in a line that excludes the beguiling ways
of vine or pussy willow.

I have learned a lesson in love today
===============

so many times now you have taken us to that
slice of paradise known as your back yard ...
and each visit is a gift from your eye to ours ...
each trip is also a lesson in life as we get to see the world thru your poetic vision..
and the view is always pure poetry in motion

Some find subtlety in strangers
some find subtlety alone
Your eyes,you see everything
my eyes,I see its all together now
and I know.
~candlebox~

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2001-03-10 01:24 PM

Enjoyed your poem Martie...James

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

8 posted 2001-03-10 03:09 PM

...but....but....Martie....where's my avacado tree?....

Oh, this reminds me of SO much....thank you for this!

Dark Angel
Member Patricius

since 1999-08-04

Posts 10095

9 posted 2001-03-10 08:50 PM

Oh Martie ...

They seemed so tenderly mated,
not touching or seeking favor,
just old friends in the yard.

I have learned a lesson in love today
with my camera’s eye,
from two old friends in the back yard,
the orange tree and the cactus.

I want to look through your eyes! This is really beautiful. An Orange tree and a Cactus, two old friends in the yard, WOW

Thanks Martie

Maree

I may know the word but not say it
I may know the truth but not face it
I may hear a sound a whisper sacred and profound
but turn my head indifferent.

Natalie Merchant

[This message has been edited by Dark Angel (edited 03-10-2001).]

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

10 posted 2001-03-10 09:05 PM

Denise--You are the one that is the gem.

Marge--I know how you feel about orange trees...you got any cactus there in Florida?

Sea--I'm glad you were touched by this poem.

VAS--I'm so glad you shared with me your cactus feelings...you have given me something too, a new look at my poem...thanks.

Kit--Thank you so much for the lovely reply!

Janet--There are many back yards in this world...only one is mine...I take alot from it, but it gives back. Thanks for your wonderful reply!

James--I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

Karilea--

I don't have an avacado tree.

Maree--I think the view through your own eyes is super...thanks hon for a lovely reply.

Honeybee
Member Ascendant

since 1999-12-26

Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA

11 posted 2001-03-10 09:08 PM

Martie~

To see the world through your understanding eyes is a treat! This poem is a breath of fresh air! Wonderful use of metaphors to tell of such an important message

Into the library this goes~

Take care,
Melissa~

The beauty of poetry gives my soul wings to fly free within dreams

~Melissa P. Monette~

SpitFire
Member Elite

since 2000-04-19

Posts 2396

12 posted 2001-03-10 09:56 PM

~Martie,...I completely adore this! Thank you for seeing it this way, and sharing. *Peace you.

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite

since 2000-08-04

Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

13 posted 2001-03-11 01:23 PM

Lessons in love - lessons in friendship - a symbiosis one might not suspect - - a truly beautiful thought - and a great picture to drive it home -
Something new and unexpected but always beautiful from you - why am I not surprised?

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

14 posted 2001-03-12 02:46 PM

If poetry had left my life empty of all reward but seeing through your eyes of gentle perspective, it would be more than enough. *S* Beautiful!

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

15 posted 2001-03-12 03:26 PM

Martie that is so poetically you....you would be the one to see with the poet's eye and mate these two old comrades so unlike each other but co-existing peacefully....very very good! ! Picture's great too! That's a poet's thinking and bless you for it!

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