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2011 Poetry Theme Challenges#14 Into The Trees! |
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Hello Poets; Call it a wood, copse, wold, weald, holt or frith being in the forest is an enchanting and magical experience. Hardly surprising when this micro ecosystem that is made of mainly trees provides a buffer for our planet, the Earth, and supports a myriad of life. Forests cleanse the air, provide cool shade in hot weather and warm shelter on a cold dark night. So our challenge is to write poems about the forestry worlds - be it fact or fantasy let us capture some of the magic and mystery of the trees.
Jem XXXX |
Into The Trees!
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Divena CollinsIf I could be just any tree Without a doubt I’d be a Poui A golden one with blooms so fair And hummingbirds caught in my hair. But when ‘tis time for me to rest Then I would pick as second best To be but only for a spell, A shady, spreading Immortelle. But if I felt to ‘ramajay’, Take centre stage just for a day, Then I might choose to show and flaunt Myself, just like the Flamboyant. But after all is said and done If truth be told there’s only one Tree that I’d truly want to be My beautiful tropical Poui.  ----- A Tribute to Alfred Joyce Kilmer's Trees I know that I shall never be, As old or graceful as a tree; For I am just a passing guest Here on this earth, to do a test. If I do well, then I just may See My Creator's Face one day. I'm all the worse for wear and tear, No birds to decorate my hair. I've been deluged by joy and pain, Been broken and made whole again. Though fool I am unlike the tree, That Very God created me. |
Divena CollinsIn ancient times in the land of Nod Druids slept in the forests of Dod Mystical mists engulfed tall trees Water nymphs swam seven seas A magical sun shines only by night By day moonshine is burning bright. Wild life left for the golden sands Fish decided to live on the lands Grew legs to stroll along with ease, Walks this day in woodlands breeze. A magical sun shines only by night By day moonshine is burning bright. The trees in forest told all the news Opened with ancient leaves to view Barks peeled back to an open book Only the wise can take a good look. A magical sun shines only by night, By day moonshine is burning bright.  ----- Crazy Land of Nod 2 The druids travelled from far and wide Mounted dolphins that swam the tide Made their way through water spray Way past where the mermaids play The book of trees ne`er told no lies Truth was found betwixt loving eyes. On the sea shore of golden sands Two lovers sat both holding hands An evil sea serpent from the deep Woke up suddenly from his sleep The book of trees ne`er told no lies Truth was found betwixt loving eyes. He then conjured up a wicked spell And turned them both into a shell The druids found them eventually Entwined together for all eternity, The book of trees ne`er told no lies Truth was found betwixt loving eyes So back they went to the Land of Nod Back with the druids to the forest Dod For this magic spell shall be broken Within the book the tree has spoken The book of trees ne`er told no lies Truth was found betwixt loving eyes.  ----- Crazy Land of Nod 3 Wilder the winds that blew from a cloud Storm ridden waters with thunder loud Violent waves that had crashed ashore With all that ventured the deep sea floor Red was the sky that framed the ocean Enhanced were lovers in deep devotion. No more did the mermaids myths unfold Of sea shanties sang in dayes of old Nor sea serpents live to cast their spell No longer had dolphins this tale to tell Red was the sky that framed the ocean Enhanced were lovers in deep devotion. Wild life had returned to the open land Far from the sea with the golden sand Neptune arose from the salt sea spray To conjure the spell of the lovers away Red was the sky that framed the ocean Enhanced were lovers in deep devotion. The book of trees ne`er told no lies Truth was found betwixt loving eyes A magical sun shines only by night By day moon shine is burning bright Red was the sky that framed the ocean Enhanced were lovers in deep devotion.  ----- Creatures Of Fernwood The fullest moon shines in the sky When an owl screeches aloud His dark silhouette soars forward Before descending on his prey Within Fernwood by night. Deep in the forest `neath the trees Fern fronds begin to unfurl Nodding in the morning breeze Where last years spores dispel Within Fernwood by morn`. A dormouse shakes off the earth Awakens from winters sleep His tiny claws scratches his girth Snuffling to find fleshy shoots Within Fernwood by noon. Deep in the forest `neath a shrub A badger returned to her sett To feed her awaiting badger cubs With six of the brightest eyes Within Fernwood by day. Rabbits forage the forest floor For tasty shoots to nibble Ears erect towards dog or fox Until they have all passed by The Fernwoods warren. Creatures that dwell large or small With instincts deeply inborne Tho` danger is never so far away The fittest of all shall survive Within Fernwood Forest.  ----- Imaginary Friend I think I saw a fairy Amidst yon meadow clary She turn`d to me and smiled But she never spoke a word It may have been absurd I guess she was something wild But still recall this day I think I saw a fae But then, I was only a child.  ----- Moon Phase Crop Growing When to plant the seasons seed In the hope, that you succeed Does not take much explaining Leave it while the moon is waning. Observe the sky when relaxing Sow thy grain while moon is waxing. Man hath studied through the ages Natures growth with moon in phases Heeding to the ancient learnings Learned farmers thus concerning Observe the sky when relaxing Sow thy grain while moon is waxing. For thy crops shall not prevail If moon is waning they may fail Wait and learn given a chance They shall flourish at a glance Observe the sky when relaxing Sow thy grain while moon is waxing.  ----- Preservation Somewhere there were trees swaying in the breeze The would often speak to me rustling autumn leaves I would listen to their grief how their dwindling away To make much more space for the humans of today; It sadly breaks our hearts, making all us trees sigh What was once so strong shall now most surely die. What of all our life here in this forest looking bare What of all the wildlife why does`nt anybody care Where ever shall all the birds go if they cannot rest When they have`nt any trees to build their cosy nest; It sadly breaks our hearts, making all us trees sigh What was once so strong, shall now most surely die Plants are getting rarer to make room for mankind How much room needed are they out of their minds Where is the green belt, they promised us forever Those words were they false or broken or whatever; It sadly breaks our hearts making all us trees sigh What was once so strong shall now most surely die.  ----- Seasons of the Forest Green the meadows which thrive in the spring Harken the cuckoos sweet song on the wing For all of earths creatures shall spring alive Woodlands in springtime again shall survive Praising each year the changing of seasons Blessed be to nature who has her reasons. Summer adorned the dense thickets of green Flowers now boasting natures magical scene No artists brush shall inspire with this flair To capture moments with precision and care Praising each year the changing of seasons Blessed be to nature who has her reasons Come Autumns carpet of crimson and gold Shedding the leaves bright colours to behold Thou who hath withered with ne-er a sound A host of dead leaves fierce winds blew down Praising each year the changing of seasons Blessed be to nature who has her reasons. Pretty is the picture of this winters scene Sprinkles of snow adorning pines of green This page from a magical faerie lore story Transforming the forest to all it`s glory Praising each year the changing of seasons Blessed be to nature who has her reasons.  ----- Tree Hugger The growth of a tree is a wonderful thing Strong of trunk for the branches frame Growing like arms spread out wide With leafy hands and sap bearing veins To endure all weathers. In wind and rain and the burning hot sun We never think that a tree has feelings It only takes a moment of time To appreciate beauty that trees can give And cool shade beneath. Are we too wrapped up in our own illusions Where would bird go if they had no trees To build there nest within shade When a weeping willow weeps for love Sympathize and give her a hug.  ----- The Voice The trees were nourished a long time ago Flowers and herbs with seed pods to sow, Once rivers were flowing with waters clear And the songs of the birds for us to hear; A voice had carried as the hurricane blew God forgive they know not what they do Their were Fields of plenty corn and wheat Of barley turnips maize and of beet Wild life had dwelt in the forest so deep Insects busy in the rich soil did keep A voice had carried as the hurricane blew God forgive they know not what they do. The seasons of nature did come and go And oceans with tides that ebb and flow A sun that gave warmth shining bright Moons that lightened the darkest night A voice had carried as the hurricane blew God forgive they know not what they do. Humans who thought they did their best But now they have gone and laid to rest With nothing left of the safe ozone layer Our World just a desert barren and bare A voice carried as the hurricane blew God forgive they know not what they do. May we try another planet and start again? Correcting our mistakes that we made then Can we make better rules is it not too late? For a new World with a much better fate. A voice carried as the hurricane blew God forgive they know not what they do.  ----- Waltz of Flowers Tchaikovsky`s music drifts thro`the glade The orchestra strikes soft notes Faeries awaken and stretch their wings For the ballet of the flowers waltz And the dance begins. Round and round the faeries pirouette Within a sacred faerie ring, To magic spells of musical descant As they dance in a mystical trance In a soprano of song. As they weave in and out of the ferns, Rose petals float in the breeze Releasing sweet the scent all around Whilst toadstools take their bow To deep notes of lore. The whispers of leaves upon the bower To the gentle hum of the bees When raindrops sprinkle thro`the clouds And the orchestra takes a final bow The waltz of flowers end.  ----- Wolf Song How knowingly you walked towards me Gazing through beautiful amber eyes You sensed the love and respect Which forever remains in my heart No fear whatsoever between us. For you had come to me so willingly I caressed your thick soft coat When we walked I felt complete As if spiritually it was meant to be I cared for your existance. I am only ashamed, I am part of a race Which eradicated your forefathers I saw only a beautiful social animal Raising cubs with no hindrance from man You had captured my heart. I am grateful for the spiritual feeling You stirred in the depth of my soul And forever treasure the privilege To have walked among your pack and heard Your wolf song, on my departure.  ----- Woodland Powers Strength from sap of the branches strong With powers that flow through leafy veins Aromatic oils from Cedars balm Enhanced by morning dawns sweet dew And soothing salves from the honey bee. Woodlanders gathered from far and wide With ailing bodies and of troubled minds For relief from medicinal herbs To feel this effect from natures source Of healing powers of the forest. Sickness and strife spread thro` the lands Nature provided her own perfect cure A source from trees shared by all Remedies there from all things that grew Upon ancient trees of the forest.  ----- If we could save the World what would we do, we could only give love unto all nations, me and you we are all in this World together united we must be united we must stand we are all birds but with different feathers with no more conflicts let us all walk hand in hand. This our Planet is a most beautiful place to live in. with glades of trees, birds, flora, herbs to see why should we want to destroy these gifts of nature which has been given free shall we now take notice and look at the wonders around us a crisper open page in natures book. for perfect Peace.  |
Jem FarmerAmid the weald land trees she lies, The girl whose eyes shone with amber dreams, Her hair the shades of golden rain, With russet lips she sang her song The voice of a soulful nightingale. Before the dawning of the day When sunlight dances o’er the forest ground Her honeyed-voice sings of love With the braying of the wolves Calling for a restful day. Tendrils of early light Stretching through the darkest green Vibrant hues reflecting life In rainbow of colour greet the day And nature’s love is born again.  ----- Another Language In lives gone by, I spoke their language, The ancient words of Mother Earth Without the aid of a mobile phone. I could touch the breeze in harmony And understand the chorus of dawn birds. I tasted sweet ambrosia, The honeyed nectar of the gods. I danced in the wooded pantheon To the beat of single drum While listening to the moon. Yet now I have forgotten The ways of age old mystery, I have lost the joy of creation. Yet an echo thunders in my soul Drawing me to the forest trees.  ----- Circle In Motion Majestic limbs reaching for the sky Capture a breeze that whispers in the night Ancient wisdom drawn from deep within, Deep within the core of Earth And I can hear Her heart beat. Cooling canopies keeping out the sun Or the first droplets of rain While I walk among the bluebells A mystical arcana That chimes amid the green and brown. Wild winds of fragrance bathe the air Cleansing the breath of life Life nurtured from death’s debris Scattered on the ground The circle in motion Here in the weald lies absolution A loving mother giving up her heart The certainty of our creation The essence of life Are found here in Her heart and soul. ----- Crystal Cascade A forest of callous crystals cascades through the cavern Like a carousel of tears frozen in time; Barren and bereft, devoid of emotion, Unwanted and unheeded, Deserted in a desolate place. Slipping and sliding, this way and that Avoiding the dual with destiny But fate says there is nowhere to run; In coldness she weeps ebony tears Beneath a cheerless carpet of snow. From the snow burst quartz flowers Reflecting the beauty she knew as pain In a heartless world of Man As destiny decreed it should be Until humankind is deserving again.  ----- Iris Dreams Golden shadows on seas of blue Touch my eyes with your beauty Let me linger awhile in your serenity In that peaceful place of the garden Where the iris blooms. Vibrant summer roses cannot compare To your delicate allure Nor can the sunshine daffodils Grant me that exquisite unity I find in an indigo dream.  ----- Majestic White There in majestic white he stood Amid the bowers of the weld His chocolate eyes watching The glade where the fairies play And the unicorn stood in silence. Cascades of ivory silk Ripple in the evening breeze The muteness of the moment Shivers on his stilled ears As the fairy dance began. Music lost to human ears Blows gently on the wind And while the unicorn observes In the realms of fantasy I bid you dance with me.  ----- Village Fete Humming bees and lavender define A summer’s day as children play upon the green Building daisy chains of forget-me-nots And cicadas sing among the grass That grows wildly in the park. Foaming froths of ginger beer Cheer the child while mum and dad sip tea Cream teas in the marquee for one and nine Spin the wheel for a penny And win a bottle of wine Tombola turns the raffle prize A jumble of clothes for sixpence Find a treasure with a threepenny bit The joy of bric-a-brac has no measure With memories of times gone by.  back to list |
Ryter RoethicleLooking beyond the Eastern horizon, See how the red rose slowly becomes the dawn As she opens her petals and forms the early morn The redness denotes the coming day And we are warned about the coming wind and rain. The trees come to life as the darkness lifts There is not much green as winter is upon us So we see mostly empty limbs and a promise That will be fulfilled in just two months time They will be amply covered and no longer embarrassed. The birds are awake and call to each other Their normal raucous calls echoing along the emptiness And again two months will bring a change With protective aggression emerging from the nest But at present that aggression is tempered by the cold. New consciousness awakens with the cold Reluctantly forcing our dreams to disperse As reality forces its way into our minds The eyes open and see the rose at work again But closing them is no longer an option. ----- On Being In The Woods I will walk slowly through the wood In here I feel the peace I knew I would. There is no anguish only a feeling sublime The trees created through endless time. Feeling the stresses of the day melt away And my inner self bids me to stay. There is no peace within a buildings walls And only confusion within the hotels halls. The piped music drives away sane thoughts With inspiration gone I’m left with naught. Common sense tells me, it’s time to run away It’s stupid really for me to stay. A sup of wine, and a loaf of bread Isn’t that what Omar Khayyam said? To sup, and eat beneath a bough It was true then and tis surely true now Feeling the stresses of the day melt away And my inner self that bids me stay. Here I’m free to write and free to feel Realising life within these trees is real. I feel their peace surging over me Now realising this is what’s meant to be No more stresses, no more debt left to pay I’ve now decided it’s here I’ll stay. ----- Under Drought The apples on the trees are small, tasteless The tree is starved and thirsty And she is depriving her children of a future. But what future can there be, The soil is too hard, too dry? The promise of fruit is no longer valid There is no rhubarb anymore Nor do the strawberries have promise. The lemon tree is the only one that thrives She’s in a tub close by the door and gets doses of grey water. The native trees still survive They are hardy and used to droughts The foreigners expect to be spoilt And shrivel up under the suns heat And the dry soil below. ----- Values As I eat my lunch I’m watching the local birds Paddling in the puddles of sunlight in the yard. The ample shelter of the trees cast long shadows That shapes the place like a series of furrows Of light and dark green, light and dark paving I watch and eat and satiate hungers craving. I’m sitting now watching my students do a test It’s been a hectic time and I’m ready for a rest. The crowd this week are more than friendly enough There’s a need to hear English, that makes it tough. Too much broken language and arms a waving To hear English spoken is really what I’m craving. This eve I’ll sit outside with a bottle of wine, My laptop will play music, and then all will be fine. I’ll watch the sun set over those ancient trees Then when set I’ll feel the evening breeze, And perhaps then I’ll realise what I’m saving, All the time and peace that will ease my craving. 2 There is still a touch of heat in the night As the setting sun continues to shed its light. A strange bird calls out its unfamiliar song I am new, and its family has been here so long. It calls out as if to say; "There’s a stranger here". If only it would understand, there’s naught to fear. Even though a semi-stranger to this part of Earth I will still respect and love its land of birth. The greenness around tells me they wish to breathe And therefore gives me no urgent call to leave. I can understand that all this has cost avians dear, If only they understand from me there’s naught to fear. ----- Wentworth Falls In front of me are the mountains With the blue haze rising from the trees. The heavy greens contrasted by the black rock And that contrasted by the whiteness of the waterfalls, But most of all is the serenity arising from it all. There is a path that took me from here at peace Round to the thousand steps I once could ascend But now am content to only view And enjoy as if I were a Japanese tourist Still I am left with memories they could never have. Their cameras would never go where I have been Thus will never see the treasures I have. Treasures that are beyond gold and silver, The joy and love of nature that can never be bought And because of memory can be ever enjoyed. ----- Nature - Collins Sequence #1 All life and more is in Natures plan The least of which should humble man And grows and forms and adapts to strife This is the challenge Nature puts on life. Across the ages life has made a chart At survival each life has made an art Each plant mutates and has adapted so It lies dormant in sand, it sleeps in snow Every year with the start of Natures round On looking about a new shoot are found Now is the time as the young shoots dart. At survival each life has made an art After desert rains see life grow again. With the help of the sun and the rain At last new life will emerge and grow In the worst conditions life will show With every chance new life will start At survival each life has made an art #2 Life blossoms forth its symbolic scenes Attracting to procreate and pass on its genes It is reliant on symbiosis for the key And it needs the help of the worker bee Or other creature that pass on the seed To help fertilise each plant and weed. And as the seasons wax and wane One years lost is another's gain Nature always balances out with time So that nothing can out climb As other creatures help pass on the seed They help fertilise each plant and weed. All things are equal in this natural state All know their place as does their mate Every year as each beast conceives Each plant pushes forth new leaves Creatures have helped pass on the seeds Helping to fertilise the plants and weeds. < #3 All know their place and their fate Living out of harmony within their state Should one species become too strong, Nature levels it out before too long. Natures balance is without deceit Then along comes man in all his conceit. Who often forgets that it is not his plan. Always thinking naught is better than man Ignoring that he’s only an alternate form. Not just like every other creature born Upsetting the balance with his deceit All part of man and his conceit. Because of man, every day a species dies And all we hear are corporate lies Science and technology only deceives. Ask the ancients what the tribe believes. Those ancients live and are without deceit And are ashamed of man and his conceit. #4 The world from space how lush and green But down here the destruction is obscene. What man has done in the name of gain Really means civilization has gone insane. Destroying forests to build new towns Acting like a bunch of painted clowns. The cars and trucks we drive pollute the air But we carry on regardless without a care One day soon we will be asked to pay Faced with the truth what will we say? First denying using men in caps and gowns But academics are not painted clowns. They say it’s not to late to change our way But for what we take, we also have to pay. And must live with Nature, and learn the art So that with every chance new life will start. Stop denying the truth, throw the gauntlet down And depose each and every painted clown. back to list |
Liz Rulefrom the seed springing the roots of trees pulse a path through the strongest stone entwined inextricably in love’s dance - you and I meadow sunlight... leaves tremble in the breeze dragonflies glide on love’s warm currents I tremble at your touch wildflowers in a jam jar by your door - my colour-clad messengers to welcome the wanderer azaleas in Spring a spider bridges the gap between two branches - the way we weave in and out of each other’s lives photo on the web a map of your face with my cursor I trace the tracks of our love from half a world away his empty house the floor tessellated with manuscripts each a chrysalid poem - his doors padlocked against thieves since your passing Earth turns once around the sun last night I read your poems of love to the rain's soft tattoo leaves crunch underfoot morning dew on bare branches does the falling leaf grieve for the loss of its tree as I grieve for you?  ----- Haiku Winter winter moon bare trees dream of leaves Wind wind song sweeps away each blossom the coming of summer Sipping sipping tea... pine needles brush my window Currawong currawong - bare branches frame the stars A Tug a tug on the line the spider ties up its next meal Summer summer meadows scotch broom lavishes its gold Stealing stealing shells the tide tossed ashore unhurried... no worries Farmers farmers' market the tarot reader peers over the cabbages Pollen pollen wind swarms of bees forage in gum blossom  ----- On The Track By sandy track and hanging swamp, in late winter, wattle blooms; banksias burn coloured candles, arrayed in orange, yellow, silver, proffer pollen to pesky insects, honeyeaters, long-tongued lizards, which lazily lounge on sun-warm stone, or shelter from whining winter winds.  ----- Slipstreams Majestic trunks - river red gums rise out of Wimmera soil; raucous cries of swooping, whirling, weaving swarms of birds salute the swathe of sunset - without words. Coruscating colours of evening’s sun daub dancing leaves and wanton wings outspun; nature wields its spell, wizard night propels aloft the shadow, soul-kite. On pensive pinions, to eagle-view the world, I hover on slipstreams of mind unfurled, savour endless vistas of imagination, draw deep-watered thoughts from wellsprings of creation. Reverberation of nature’s primal rhythm, rippling echoes from depths I cannot fathom - wizard night’s wild tattoo from afar aligns my course past furthest fiery star.  back to list |
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