On crimson skies we dry our eyes,
So far below in forests guise,
And payments made as tears do fade.
At the foot of the wishing tree.
A place of secrets and wooded spells,
Where prying eyes can not befell,
And arms so strong aloft and calm,
Will take thee far from all mans harm.
Then as we stand in lowly form,
And breathe the breath of a misty dawn.
The darkness of our uncertainty,
Is wiped away by the wishing tree.
And all at once all life and form,
Is new as a babe when first it is born.
Then all that was dark like a river of fear.
Is now in our hearts so pure and so clear.
As the heart of the wishing tree.
K. M. Drew
2005
Author notes
Keith Drew : This tree grows three miles from where I live, hidden in a forest from prying eyes.I often go there to get away from the crazy world,and it brings me a calm within myself as I sit underneath its branches of shelter. It inspired this poem, one of the very first I ever wrote.
In a list
A contest entry
- THE BEST OF YOUR BEST by Whispering Wind.
900 points, ended April 16, 2008, 28 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 82 of 82
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yay! this is great. i knew i tree like that...but one day i went to see it onli to find out it had been cut down and turned to mulch. =O it was horrible. but this poem is amazing i love it. u should definately enter it in the contest. i noe it says no prewrites, but u could copy/paste it as a new poem if u want. i dunno. <3
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I think we all have our 'wishing tree'... real or perceived. Your poem is beautifully written, a strong almost sensual ambiance.
This is a wonderful piece, and especially so as it's your first written. You have a real feel for poetry
I'll most certainly be reading more of your work
Dee
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Thank you Dee.
I am surprised that you read my first.
But elated that you did.
Keith -
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I often read the first poem posted by a poet on here as well as at least one recent one. Sometimes I'm very pleasantly surprised and this time I'm extremely pleased. Glad I went back to that first poem
Dee
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beautiful. i have a... well, not exactly a tree, but a cemetary i go to... ok, that sounds creepy but it's not. i love the poem and the rhyme. i'll consider this for the bronze/silver. thanks for entering and best of luck
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BREATH TAKING
The magic and the wonders of Nature...sighs...A wishing tree, a tree of peace...where dreams and reality meet...Where the heart of man and tree can beat as one...Niaish so much for sharing with me and for entering...
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rhyme always catches my attention and makes me smile thanks for the great entry and good luck in the contest
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Interesting that you seem to delete any comments showing any criticism.. .
I think poetry is about finding something a lot deeper. Yea, you're happy to describe as crimson that's fine there's just no depth to that, no imgaination.. it's a borrowed word.
But this is obviously the kind of poetry you enjoy to read, as do lots of other people, so I'm not arguing with it at all, I just felt you could have been more exploratative.. but not everyone wants to take something somewhere.
x -
I told you I would be reading again. I almost feel as if I can explain in more deepth what this piece means to me. I had to read it, I kept thinking about it more and more. Why do you think my eye's misted up when I read this, and they do again now? Why do you think I asked to go with you? Why do I keep asking questions there are really no answers for, just emotions? There again a question. lol I am so tired, My mind and heart are in a true battle and I don't know who will win. What do you do when your heart screams at you one thing, and the mind screams at you another? God I will miss you these next few weeks. I have a feeling I will be up many a nights with my thoughts.
This line: And all at once all life and form,
Is new like a babe when first it is born.
this is what I keep thinking about. It's my words Keith, I have a poem I was looking for for month and word for word we wrote the same lines. I have goose bumps. I need a hot shower.
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Can I go with you?
I had to read it twice, my eyes misted up the first time, this is a very calming and wonderful piece. Magic seems to pour out of these emotions you have expressed here. Well done, well said. I will be reading again.
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I love your second stanza most
A place of secrets and wooded spells,
Where prying eyes can not befell,
And arms so strong aloft and calm,
Will take thee far from all mans harm.
It just gives the imagery of nature sprites or some kind of spirits taking away your soul. Lovely -
So, so beautiful! Deep and thoughtful, wonderful flow and word choice. Thank you for your superb entry! Bookmarking this; it's superb!
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Beautiful! Your very first poem? Incredible! This is so lovely... hidden from prying eyes, I like that. Such a wonderful place to be. And your poem took me there. Thanks so much for your wonderful entry! Good luck!
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Hi ,a lovely poem I just wish you had tightened the meter. it has good feel and I was a little sad to see you ignored what I said about the meter,Di
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Hi lovely poem, check meter,lol,will be back, hugs Di
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This is a really, really beautiful poem. "On crimson skies we dry our eyes,/So far below in forests guise," These lines just hold such magic and sound so good together, they are a great opener.
Then the tree is a place 'of secrets and of wooded spell' I love that- what a great way to say wishing tree- wooded spells. That's awesome.
the idea of hidden from 'prying eyes' is great- as is those who were chosen as there under secret oath and their souls are exposed as they behold the majesty of the tree. "Then as we stand in lowly form,/And breathe the breath of a misty dawn."
The tree also seems likea father figure, if that makes any sense- the strong unlifted arms, the way the speaker's uncertainty is wiped away by the tree- it seems too kind to be just a tree, and at the same time, too kind to be human.
The idea of all life at once being like a babe just born brings back the magic I felt reading this- the idea is humanity stripped away and the suol exposed- like purity and innocence, which brings my to my last favorite part, the lines "Then all...in our hearts so pure and so clear./As the heart of the wishing tree." -
The undertones of magic throughout this piece is what made it so heartwarming, for me. It's full of hope and faith and it was definitely what I needed to read right now... the penmanship is very good, well done! Mistress Magic x
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I think the last stanza was just a bit forced, but overall it was an impressive write. I envy your talent, as I do so many authors on this site. Best of wishes.
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excellent
Well,what can i say?What an amazing piece of writing from you my friend,i thouroughly enjoyed this so much and certainly will make an effort to read more of your work.Thankyou for sharing this lovely piece of writing with us.Kenny -
The beauty within this piece truly radiates throughout every last line. Each word just increase the magic that is felt in this poem as it is read. Upon coming to the end I found myself exhaling with a soft sigh as if to feel the release and ending of a visit of such a wonderous place. A true work of art!
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A nice piece dear friend.
Shahrzad
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Wow, this is very good, flowed nicely. Thanks for putting it on feature! x
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*faints from beauty*
i cant find words to describe such beauty -
NICELY DONE
Very nice selection! I enjoyed this read. Thank you for putting it as a feature item. You are gifted with words, keep writing. Very well done. Congrats! Blessings! Tamm -
Strong poem
I like the inspiration and the uplifting message of the poem. I'd like to find a wishing tree someday -
This is really beautiful and very nicely written Keith. I felt it was Magical too. Excellent rhyming and choice of words. I really liked this poem and enjoyed reading it very much.
Keep on writing and penning. Congratulations on the Silver Trophy by the way!
Nooni
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this was o.k.. but I guess I missed something here. It did not seem to make much sense to me. Good effort though.
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Perfect
I really liked this poem-it was very clever! It's funny...whenever I had a problem, I used to hang around this tree we had in our backyard...just being around it would calm me down. Heh. Anyway, great work! Can't wait to read more!
-Tim -
I love your poem. It is so simple but meaningful. Great work.
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Made me think of the book the Giving Tree by Shel Silversteen (I hope I spelled his name right), I loved reading that book as a child and your poem was a Touching as that book!
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Once again, a delightful work. I am curious; wishing tree. what is the meme behind this? Is it a cultural thing? whose culture?
Thanks for Reading Questions. I have updated a bit and added a link for the book that has excerpts and a photo gallery. -
Hey Keith, you've been there too.I also wrote about a wishing tree.It's wonderful isn't it.A place to put all our hopes and dreams.A really beautiful poem.i enjoyed every word, Ros
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This is a deeply beautiful poem, Keith. Your wording is highly artistic and flows wonderfully, while your imagery is both vivid and mystical. I wish I could find the Wishing Tree, to take away the darkness in my life. Excellent Writing! ~Charles~
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wonderfull
wonderfull poem my friend and i see that every one has enjoyed it ,fantastic write one that you can be very proud of indeed,forgiv me for not applauding but i have to save poits up for some well deserved prizes ,but i did enjoy this so very much
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sweetness!
wow...i like the wishing tree thing!!! its so cool!!! i loved how you described the wishes...they were wonderful!! i hope to read more from ya!!! keep writing!! -
Great poem man. I loved the flow in the poem and the way you've written it . And you have chosen a very interesting topic too .hope you find your wishing tree.
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Inspiring us to keep dreaming
My "Wishing Tree" as a child, was in front of my Grandmothers house, and the magical places, well, they have yet to be found. But with poems like this, I am sure that all of us will find those places one day. Keep it up. This is a truly wonderous piece. -
I wish there was a wishing tree near me lol. Great poem, very inspiring. Keep em coming.
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A
Yeah, I could use a wishing tree. It sounds handy to have around.
I really like the way this poem goes, it's very soothing to read and understand. It seems old and like something from long ago that people have drawn on for centuries for comfort, and it makes it all that much more special to read and for us to gain comfort from it, as well.
The rhyme is very good, though the third and fourth line of the first stanza seems kind of random. The rhythm is also good, though it gets a little wordy in a few of the lines, and some lines are just a syllable over what would make the rhythm perfect. In the last stanza, the line "Is new like a babe when first it is born" could easily lose the one syllable that makes it a little off with rhythm by making 'it is', 'it's'.
Don't be pressured to change this, though, because it's quite possible I have no idea what I'm talking about. Feel free to leave this lovely poem as it is, for it is absolutely lovely.
Kudos!
Bekca. -
Like everyone else I love this poem. I like the way it's written and the meaning behind it!
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Very unique and beautifully written. I wish there was a wishing tree!
I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing and keep on writing!
Eternal
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There is a wishing tree, i sat under it and it gave me the words.
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This is an absolutely lovely poem and really well written, technically brilliant!!!
Everything was so well described too and I wouldn't change anything about it....a joy to read and comment on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah Louise Hudson
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Great imagery here. This is a lovely write.
A place of secrets and wooded spells,
Where prying eyes can not befell ...
I particularly like these lines, they convey a sense of mystery
Thanks for sharing. -
very nice.. i really liked it, especially the lines:
Then as we stand in lowly form,
And breathe the breath of a misty dawn.
The darkness of our uncertainty
Is wiped away by the wishing tree.
those were my favourite.
the only thing i didnt like was the crimson skies.. it a bit cliche.. but i loved the rest.
all my love
jess -
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Cliche maybe but when when I stood under the tree, the skies were crimson,so how else could I describe it?
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Beautiful beyond words..
wow...this was just awesome. the rhyme and flow and pace this poem had were just so perfect and ran together so well, its beyond words...this was just beautiful, keep it up...
Protee -
What a beautiful write.
I remember a tree much
like this in my childhood
as well.
Wonderful memories of that
innocence and joy.
The peacefulness of that
time.
Great writing.
Thank you so much for
sharing.
Jeannie D
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Wonderful write, much feeling. I had a tree like that when I was a child, I could sit under it with my pony and go to far away places, thank you.
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Your rhyme scheme was very good and I enjoyed this poem very much..when something is as well written as this piece. there is nothing negative that can be said..thank you for sharing your talent...
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very well written. I can feel the emotion and that special spark of umf, or however they spell it. Very wel written and a very original idea
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Very Beautiful. I wish there were a wishing tree.. I really need one of those right now. Awesome poem.
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This is a beautiful piece, the rhytem and flow are impeccable. great work from start to finish. Keep your pen forever flowing! Bunny
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this is a wonderful write from you. it would be so nice if there really were such a thing as a wishing tree. i find absolutely nothing in here to be critical about. thank you for sharing this hopeful write with me. hope2makeit
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Wow, you did very good on this. I hope you keep it up. ^__^
Veva. -
beautiful
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You just completely reassured me that amazing "amateur" (non-professional?) poets do exist. The ways in which you played with rhyming and the words was very very good. I also loved the concept itself and what the wishing tree meant to the world. I immediately think of a book from my childhood, which I believe goes by the same title. Perhaps that was an inspiration. My only real critique has to do with the second line in the last stanza - it's the only line that feels slightly rough. My suggestion is to simply take out "it is," but it's truly up to you whether or not you change it and what you may change it to. This poem overall sends a very beautiful and strong message and you created that so wonderfully. Excellent work.
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I liked all about this work especially
Then as we stand in lowly form,
And breathe the breath of a misty dawn.
The darkness of our uncertainty
Is wiped away by the wishing tree.
keep it up cheers
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This was very calming, thanyou for sharing it. Good Job
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Oh, this is an awesome write. It sings to me.
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Well, together with My Secret Garden and your Wishing Tree we have created a world all to ourselves,lets never leave. Beautiful write!
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Worlds to collide, yet on their creation, to spin away from each other and find new worlds to make.
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I really enjoyed reading this. It was very inspired and it had a healing sense that came along with reading the words. This was a beautiful poem, more people need to read this, it's wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
~Elizabeth~ -
Just Beautiful
Thank you for putting me on to The Wishing Tree. I love the whole concept here as the idea is bright an refreshing.
I am not familiar with the form, if this is a formal one. I liked this a great deal. Very ver pretty. -
Dear Kieth, this is simply magnificent, the wonderful visions such a tree creates in the mind, of a wise old tree that has stood for centuries, seen a lot of changes, stayed strong and tall against the elements. Oh what secrets that wishing tree could tell, I wonder if their wishes came true, I would like to think so.New growth means rebirth of the amazing wishing tree. How I would've loved as a kid to climb such a tree and breathe in the magic of it's existence feeling safe in it's arms. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Hugs Joan
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Good images
This wish is granting me a jewl in a setting rare, Thank you for sharing -
This is a fabulous poem I really like it. Thank you for recommending it I love your work!
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Words so perfectly poised,makes one sit and wonder.Duefully showing that wishes can and do come true,Absolute wonderful poem!Full of inspiration
Angel -
You were right...I felt my heart there at this wishing tree...and coming away with a spirit anew. Your comments to me regarding Remembered Epiphany were so profound and so compassionate...very insightful, too, and I thank you so much for them. You do have a wonderful heart...seen through your words.
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The thought of wishes and dreams coming true is so sweet... and the wishing tree instead of a well adds a new and different touch. I especially liked the lines "and arms so strong aloft and calm, will take thee far from all man's harm." Oh, the times I climbed 'my' tree to get away from my childhood troubles!
Thanks for entering. Good luck.
--Jocelyn -
this is such a beautiful piece, very well written. thank you for entering a previous winner into my contest best wishes and good luck
sash
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Amazing
Wow that is an outstanding write. I really really enjoyed this poem and the first stanza in paticularly. The rhyme is consistent which was good and the imagery was brilliant. I intend to read more by you . -
wow that was a pretty poem.i liked it alot.great job!!
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Very unique poem! This is awsome, I've not read anything like it before, I love it when that happens
The first stanza was my favorite, it just flowed effortlessly. Amazing write, you should be very proud
and 's
Dena
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good
this is a good poem. I like the idea of a wishing tree, instead of a wishing well, and this poem really catches the imagination. It also has good flow,, and a nice set up. Over all great poem. Good luck in the contest, and keep up the good work,
Bowie of the knfie and spear,
Rose of the thorns,
Morner of the lost. -
Good
This is a beautiful poem..
I felt like I was in a crusade to save the forests!
Anyway, it's beautiful, how the lines flowed and even with the rhyming it wasn't forced. It's like you're looking at things with all the formalities, all the chaos, coruption, and modern day bull taken, stripped away.. looking at the things that we should all see but don't. It's like a very well kept secret.. that you've just decided to share.
Wonderful poem. -
Oh yes do wishes come true. I really enjoyed the read. I liked the flow of it and the intermitent rhyme.
I enjoyed the read.
~Dee -
Good
This is a well composed little poem that caught my eye because I love things with wishes and angels and dreams and prayers come true. Seemed like I might just find them reading "The Wishing Tree"
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Wonderful and inspiring.
I find this one enchanting and you know I used to know a Dean Drew at Hampden-Sydney College a fine person and you do have to read different views of poetry to get a better feeling for the what is wanted. I would say that you indeed matched that. -
So now I have read two and both of different styles which I like a lot. This one had great rythem, I love the rhyme. So far, I think you an outstanding writer.
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Beeeeautiful! You are very talented!
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This is so magical, with a hint of sadness.. I was in awe with each word! You have quite some talent, like a gentle lullaby my heart just filled with this quite peace... Good luck in the contest, this is deserving of something! Well written!
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