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!