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Loveliest of Trees, the Maples There

Loveliest of trees, the maples there,
Adorned with gold and amber hair,
Enchant me while on morning walks
Showing off their gilded locks.

They lay a golden tapestry,
A petalled path inviting me
To gaze upon their blazing crest
Before the winter season's rest.

Now of my three score years and ten
Fifty-two won't come again.
From seventy subtract that sum,
I've only eighteen more to come.

And since to view things of such grace,
Eighteen falls are little space,
Among the autumn trees I'll stroll
To see the maples wearing gold.

Author notes

This poem is inspired by AE Housman's "Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now"

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 14 of 14

  • Heva Feva
    October 6

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    This is so cool! Perhaps you could call it 'wearing gold' ?
    I really like this bit:
    "And since to view things of such grace,
    Eighteen falls are little space,
    Among the autumn trees I'll stroll
    To see the maples wearing gold."

    You're a finalist!!!!

    Thank you so much for entering my contest, I love your poem! Good luck...
    -heva


  • parenchma
    July 13

    Edit | Reply
    Gentle wonderful, touching. I hunted in a white oak grove that had sugar maple understory. The sun began to set and the colors began to hummmm... Burgundy above vibrant; the penitent maples colored the ground gold glowing... My breath came in gasps...


  • hawkeslake gold member
    November 12, 2008

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    Truly lovely and befitting the season and the picture. I have a picture somewhat like that, which I took up in the North Woods of Minnesota one fall, and I treasure the rememberance of "the maples wearing gold." Thanks for capturing the spirit so well.


    • Gordon
      November 12, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks for the kind words. Unlike other trees, maples like to go out with a blaze of glory.


  • Clovis...Curious silver member
    November 12, 2008

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    Excellent

    A very fine write, indeed. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. This also reminds me of one I wrote although it has a different theme.
    Maple Leaves Fantasy, here's the link, if you choose to read it:

    http://allpoetry.com/poem/3510428


  • georgie
    November 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Wow!!! this piece really touched me... i love the way you compare the autumn leaves to gilded locks of hair... this tis truly one of the most beautiful nature poems i have read. id love to come on one of your strolls with you, perhaps sitting on a park bench writing together about the beauty of nature around us. most of my nature poems are written outside, Rape Of The Moon for example was written on a park bench in the botanical gardens here while a dust storm was going on all around me and its about what i saw in the storm. a really beautiful piece, flows beautifully and the words are divine.
    hugs,
    georgie,
    xxx

    • Gordon
      November 12, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Nature is a good thing to write about. Especially autumn since it goes by so quickly and it is my favorite time of year. Thanks you for the comments.

  • michaeline
    November 12, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    That picture is beautiful.Takes me back to the days when I was a little kid and that was a scene that I saw everyday.I could picture everything.You wrote this just beautifully.I do not think that I would revise anything it is perfect just the way it is.The last two lines stood out alot for me.Good luck in the contest.The title was a great pick.


    • Gordon
      November 12, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you michaeline for the great review. I appreciate it.


  • Mary O gold member
    November 7, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    YES!

    Oh, I love your added stanza.
    "Before the winter season's rest.". . . suits and is a good lead to your following stanzas as well.
    ~Mary O

  • Mary O gold member
    November 6, 2008
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    Warm and Serene

    Here you emote warm feelings for contemplation. However you've left me in wanting. I've just moved from San Diego, California to Colorado and have just witnessed my first full blown Autumn. . .simply amazing. Your piece is so beautiful as is I didn't want it to end so quick. Suggest temporarily blocking the picture and give me more picture by words. Love the first stanza especially. Overall well done.
    ~Mary O

    • Gordon
      November 7, 2008

      Edit | Reply
      I agree that is seemed a bit abrupt so I added one stanza. My goal wasn't so much to visualize the trees as it was to show my recognition of the brevity of life.


    • Gordon
      November 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks Mary O for the helpful comment. Autumn is my favorite season.


  • Samplette gold member
    November 2, 2008

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    A beautifully written piece of poetry. Great rhyme and rhythm. Very nice work. Thank you for entering the contest.
    Sam

1 - 14 of 14