It's Poetry Friday, and Carol LaBuzzeta is hosting HERE at The Apples in My Orchard. She's bringing the love and joy from our lives to us! Stop by!
Some of you will remember that I found my new home in the city, nearer my daughter and family and my work, in 2012. It's down a block from the library, a couple of blocks from the neighborhood town center with many shops and a grocery. However, the best thing is that it is surrounded by trees, and inside my yard is this over-a-hundred-year-old Cottonwood. Why did I grab this place right away? Well, near my daughter was first, but the tree, yes, the tree was second!
I lived in a little town until I was about twelve and spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents. In their backyard was a maple tree, which was easy to climb and not too large then. It was called Linda's Maple! I dragged old cushions up it, and sat there and read many summer afternoons. We did not have AC, of course, thus being outside in the shade was the best place, at least for me. When I go back to Missouri to visit my brother, we visit several places, including the cemetery, and also drive up an alley to check on "my tree."
It's not a new poem, but I just had an arborist out to check on my trees, all fine again, and I am thankful! They prefer to check when most of the leaves are down! I always worry until they tell me all is well, thus the poem fits future goodbyes. I know that many have lost trees because of the hurricanes in recent months and also grieving for special trees!
I just shared David Harrison's poetry book, A Tree is a Community on Monday here. It's lovely! I do have trees on my mind!
I know now I’ll no longer see
a poem we call maple tree.
That tree grew here for eighty year.
It saw homes rise; paved roads appear.
We lingered in its summer shade,
the growing green where nests were made.
Its twirling seeds were nature’s toys,
the autumn’s crimson blazing joys.
While slumbering in snow and cold,
it showed no hint of the evil hold
of poisons placed in earth and air.
We knew only the beauty there.
The tree is down, memories depart.
It lies in pieces, like my heart.
Linda Baie ©
How are you doing? The political fervor is a challenge, but my holiday prep has been fun. Wishing everyone good things for your holidays!
Oh goodness... your poem makes my own heart ache. Beautiful and poignant. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to feel this connection with a tree! Bittersweet, yes... and David's book has such a wonderful, engaging voice. Love! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah & Irene, trees in my life are some of the best things!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Linda! We lost a birch tree out back, and I really miss it. I was a tree climber in my youth, too. Funny to imagine our adult selves doing that, isn't it? I wish I was that agile!
ReplyDeleteThat was Susan T. above!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous inviting poem, Linda. It's sad - because it's the loss of a special place - but you capture those best memories so beautifully in verses 2, 3 and 4.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan & Kat! I did love climbing trees, & am so sad when I see or read of trees toppled from storms or disease!
ReplyDeleteYour tree poem is filled with love and admiration, Linda! I love maple trees - we have a lot of them here in Wisconsin. It's both special and sad that you have prepared yourself for the demise of your special tree. Have a wonderful holiday season - we all need the joy it brings!
ReplyDeleteI do love trees, each and every kind! Thanks, Carol!
DeleteLinda, I'm so glad to hear your cottonwood is healthy. That's great, as a missing tree leaves a hole in our hearts, but also such a hole in the landscape. I always hate to see a space where a tree used to be. I enjoyed reading the story of Linda's Maple and about how you chose your house in 2012.
ReplyDeleteSuch expert use of rhyming couplets to deliver your poem which is effectively an ode to a tree. As a fellow tree lover, I enjoyed where your words took me, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise & Alan!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem. I love how you tend to your trees, inspiring! The last line of this poem is what it feels like when I see a grand old tree taken down. Thank you for putting that feeling into words.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you brought back to me the memory of my Nonnie's property that was surrounded by nature. It was a wonder-filled place for a very young me that now is not cared for like my Nonnie always did. Having a tree in the middle of your yard provides you with much joy and I can see why. May the tree fill your holiday heart with many memories. Thank you for sharing your love of nature and the background story on your home in Denver. Happiness is sent your .way for the holdiays.
ReplyDeleteAfter the recent heavy snows in Colorado, I'm a little afraid to drive down Pomeroy Street next time I'm home and see whether or not "my" special maple has survived!
ReplyDeleteThis poem really captures the loss that weighs heavy when a majestic tree falls or is taken down. Layering in your childhood memories adds so much. I was quite distressed this fall when a local town cut down all the mature trees in the town center so they could repair the sidewalks! They've replanted trees, but the loss of those graceful old beauties lingers.
ReplyDeleteI love David's new book! And I love "twirling seeds as nature's toys."
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone! I'm not surprised to read your comments, everyone loving those wonders of nature, our trees!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, heartfelt poem! I share your care and passion for trees and enjoyed hearing about the cottonwood and Linda's Maple. We are vigilant about our trees' health too and are always sorry to see one dying. I'm gifting The Heartbeat of Trees to a couple of people this Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Jama, for coming by & for a title of another 'tree' book! Did you know that The Hidden Life of Trees is now a graphic style book? I have only seen it advertised, but loved the original!
DeleteLinda, your poignant riff on "I think that I shall never see" just tears at my heart too. They are not just living but alive, beings as well as spirits. Thank you for this poem.
ReplyDeleteI have a special tree, too, so your poem touched me deeply. I hope your trees continue to thrive. They are such a special part of the earth.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I agree about those spirits, Heidi, and it's lovely to hear of your tree, too, Rose!
ReplyDelete