The setting sun
backlights a tree
in midst of a bare field
turning every limb and twig
stark black
This old oak
backlit by pink
a tracery of random lines
combined in their complexity
to form a singular
tangle of lace
Laid bare by winter
for all who care to see
those twig tips
reaching skyward
toward remembered light and warmth
for now diminished
yet unforgotten
as this tree dreams on
of spring and rekindled life
And this is just a single tree
unique as any snowflake
What then of an entire forest
what then of us ?
Comments
beautiful x
beautiful x
hello
and thanks for such kind comment.............stan
Stan,
Wow.
Just one opinion: write more free-form poetry.
Hi Jim
Thank you but writing free form makes this old rhymer's fingers cramp and eyes cross lmao................Thanks for dropping by...stan
Free-form...
as you know, is not really my thing either, but I can see the images so very plainly here. The first stanza is the best, setting the mood and scene for the whole thing. Very nice! ~ Gee
Hi Gee
I try one once in a while in attempt to stretch lol. Thanks for the visit..............stan
Stan
Wow right enough, this is the best freeform poem I have ever read from you I absolutely love it
I see your one single tree backlit in a beautiful glow and then right at the end the whole forest comes alive .... wow
standing ovation bravo
with admiration JC x
Hi Jayne
Well I'm pleased to receive such praise from such accomplished free verser, Best you've read of mine.......hmmm............so it's the best of 15-20 huh? lol. Alway nice to have you come around the globe for a visit..........stan PS did you get the use of the single tree as a symbol for a single person there at the end?
Stan
It is so good to have someone here that can see the tree that stands alone, backlit where it takes on just a dark silhouette.
How many of us here have seen that tree before you showed us its form.
I think this is a beaut of a write and would receive 5 stars from all that reads,
Yours Ian.T
Hello Ian
there's a big old tree in the middle of a field nearby that I've seen for years. Then the other day I finally NOTICED how the bare limbs looked and thought about how it took this single tree to make me think how trees (and people) are all different yet the same. Ol' see and say lol...........stan
Hi
I think the power of the poem is in the 2nd and 3rd verses.
the first and last verses seem less important to me
ross
Hi Ross
Thank you for your input which is always valued. It seems that the last line is not being interpreted as I had planned as It is the one which I intended to use as cross over from trees to people...........................stan
There is...
a way of fixing that last line. "What then, of the entire forest [ of ] us?" ~ Gee
Hi Gee
Your idea is sound but I want to keep the succession from a single tree to a forest to us as at least 2 steps. I appreciate your idea and expect that it will be used in some way in the edit...............stan