Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

Abrupt.

 

 

 

 

 


Where children play
where walkers walk
where dogs spy sty's
filled with pork

...the digger digs.

on flattened land
where fences file,
a sadist wears
his selfish smile.

...and blackbirds fly.                              [away]

by stumbling squirrels
spiders sigh,
and treetops bow
their heads
to cry




...at the sight of the slaughtered oak.






Author notes

An alternative view of the situation. I know it's not quite what the contest is about but it does tie in with the theme in a round about sort of way.
It's something I saw yesterday which made me sad. I have known this particular tree for nearly 40 years now. Looking at the rings inside the trunk think it's probably way over 100 years old. Can't understand why it was brought down?.It wasn't in the way or anything.
. I planted some Lavender to try and remove the smell of death from the air. ..poor old tree.

I might change the title later on.

In a list

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 17 of 17

  • Floorboards
    March 18

    Edit | Reply

    Unique

    There's something about this that I love, that second stanza is amazing, and a slaughtered oak is a very powerful line, nice work.
    Well done indeed.

    Mr Floorboards.


  • angelica silver member
    July 23, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    A great poem Georgina,
    How sad that the big oak tree was cut down and the animals and birds lost their homes.
    Great poem.
    Joan


  • Hinemoa silver member
    July 23, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Dear Georgiana, Yeah! I bet he didn't think about the birds and animals. They have their homes in that tree!
    How cruel of him. Beaut poem.
    Love Hine


  • jenelda silver member
    July 20, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Dear Georgina,
    As a sequel to your other poem I find it a very worthy poem for our contest. When they cut these trees down they forget about the birds and animals who make their home in them, just to lose it to some heartless people.
    Where do they go? What do they do? Start all over again in another tree that one day might be sawn down?
    It's so sad.
    Good luck in the voting.
    Hen


  • Yemassee gold member
    July 17, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Oh I think it fits the contest. It's about going green and trees play a big part. No trees, no clean air, and that wouldn't be a nice picture.

    I can understand your feelings, as a woodcutter I will say that trees, unlike fossil fuels, are a renewable resource, but of course they are not the answer in combating global warming. But of course it's about that specific tree, and the seeming insensitivity in its cutting. Maybe it was diseased, or posed a risk to passersby, who knows. Hopefully there was a good reason for cutting it down, but I certainly understand how you feel.


  • JustFallingApart
    July 17, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    poor tree, poor poor tree. nice write. Something realy must be done about taking down things like that, it's such a pitty that some can't even see it's a living thing of beauty.


  • Maureen silver member
    July 13, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I cry when my neighbors cut their trees..I guess it's too much trouble to rake the leaves in the fall. I think it should be a crime to cut down a tree in its prime!

    Sad, well-written poem. Best of Luck in this contest!



    <3 Maureen




  • catz Moderators member
    July 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I know just how you feel. Near where our old office was a few years ago, the city cut down numerous trees along the sidewalk. They were healthy beautiful trees and provided much needed shade for walkers in the hot Arizona sun. What was the point? I can't understand why they do something like this.

    Incidently, I read a few days ago that it takes many, many years before an oak tree produces acorns... I think it's 40 years. At that rate they could become near extinction if we keep cutting them down.

    A good poem and I wish you well in the contest

    Dee

    • Blankscreen2222
      July 13, 2008

      Edit | Reply

      Dear Dee

      I am always sad when any tree is cut down because I am a great lover and appreciator of trees of all kinds.

      I think many people forget that years ago trees were the modern equivalent to what signposts are today and before roads existed properly they were the only landmarks to guide weary travellers and provide them with shelter, heat and even food.

      When the Romans built their roads here they planted Laurel trees at regular intervals along the routes. Being evergreen their leaves were used to line Roman sandals to act as cushion inner soles and soothers for aching feet as they made their long journies across the land. Even Caesar wore laurel in his shoes and around his head.

      Thankyou for leaving such a lovely reply.

      Georgina & Rufus


  • hugh wyles silver member
    July 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Dear Georgina,

    As local residents the other night,
    we met with City Councillors, to fight
    to save the last remaining willow trees
    along the Heathcote riverbanks one sees.

    These trees were planted by our pioneers
    as saplings brought from Elba over years.
    Napoleon in exile once had stood
    beneath their parents' shadow while he could.

    Along our riverside they'd stood in ranks
    their tendrils weeping o'er the riverbanks
    till arborists' chain-saws left just the stumps
    to stand above the ground - unsightly lumps.

    Some fifty lovely willow trees they'd chopped
    before we made protest and they were stopped.
    The Council made the claim in their defence
    that maintenance was too great an expense!!

    What heartless men to seal those willows' fates
    to whom we annually pay our rates!!
    Are God's creations only to be measured
    in terms of cash? Are living trees not treasured?

    I'm glad you entered and with poem you spoke
    of similar sad fate that felled the oak!

    Applause, love and hugs, and best of luck in the voting, XXX Hugh (R.)


    • Blankscreen2222
      July 13, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Dear Hugh.

      Indeed I could understand if this oak was in a place requiring maintenance or costing the local council anything to keep. But... it is right in the middle of the woods. There are no roads in the woods nor public paved footpaths and it is and not in anyone's way.
      It just seemed like an act of sheer wanton destruction and I was very shocked and sad when I came across it.

      Thankyou for your rhymed reply.
      xxx Hugs.
      Georgina & Rufus.


  • J aime Coudre silver member
    July 12, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I forgot to mention that since this is a prewrite you still need to enter a 'new' poem as one of the contest requirements for prewrites

  • J aime Coudre silver member
    July 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I think this demostrates quit good how we are slowly and at times quickly destroying this wonderful planet we call home that we were given in trust.

    There is no humor in this entry but it is really hard to find humor in the death of a mighty tree...so you are forgiven...

    "For only God Can Make a Tree"


    Thank you for the lavender..maybe it will help and thank you for the entry..Good luck in the contest and I would not change the title..it captures the moment.

    • Blankscreen2222
      July 12, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thankyou. Lavender is supposed to have soothing/healing properties too. That's another reason why I planted it.

      Sorry for the lack of humour... I could have added that my dog wandered over when we saw it then cocked his leg up and peed on it... [nothing like kicking a tree when it's down hey? lol ]... but I don't really feel in a very humourous frame of mind today. Next time maybe.


  • individuality gold member
    July 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    a good piece of poetry which flows smoothly, ah sadly we have to bear witness to the death of life - it is never easy. they have been removing trees here too where i live, i live right next to a park and it saddens me to see them get the saw out and tidy up!

1 - 17 of 17