My arboreal senses born deciduous -
retain their autumnal preference
for trees that loose their leaves
and persevere the lengthy frost
in exchange for verdant resurrection.
My feet, though shod,
hunger for the springy mix
of moss and rotting humus
in forests where deer have trod
and partridge nest.
How easily to recall -
the pallete spectrum of autumn colours
splashed across a distant ridge;
the haunting cry of Loons upon a lake
cloaked in mist;
the inhaled pungent scent of cedar,
the musty cork of oak
and rotting leaves upon the ground.
Densely standing trees,
how miraculous their textured bark -
run your hands along them roughly.
Carrying each species’ ingrained identity,
yet every tree stamped unique.
Everywhere, fiddleneck bracken
seeking dappled light -
allowed through upper storied limbs -
crowd into every open glade
where wind has cast their spores.
Distant hear Woodpeckers’ percussive chorus
echoing through the trees.
And Jays, raucous in their bickering,
sweep the lower branches by my head
in utter ignorance of my knowing smile.
Thus my squirrel-tailed memories,
born deciduous, sustain me as I stand
in this Antipodean urban desert
waiting for a bus.
© 2009
Author notes
I love the Aussie bush, but once in a while I'd like to see deciduous trees and autumn colours.
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
-
Definitely an extensive vocabulary and it's not done in a "look at me, look how many words I know" type of way. They're always used tastefully and properly. My only complaint is about this one line "Carrying each species’ genetic sameness,
yet every tree’s pattern stamped unique." - I find it sticks out like a sore thumb. We're talking about wonderful imagery taking it for what it is and seeing it in our minds.. but this line gets a bit too technical and I find it stumped me a bit. I think if you could find a substitute word for "genetic" it would fit a bit more.
-
-
Thanks for the idea VM. Line altered.
-
-
lol..great writing...your use of language is exquisite and a delight to read! thank you so much for sharing this one...keep on writing...peace an dlight to you always in all ways, kp
-
YOU NINNY!
If you would like to see real trees, then get off your duff, and go somewhere like where I live, and you WILL see real trees! Oh, and feed the birds while your at it! Nice imagery, at least I left a nice comment.
POETDONTKNOWIT -
aww yes...the sights, smells, sounds of the forest...a theme dear to my heart and stamped indelibly on my being. A very enjoyable read my friend, good to see you back on AP.
Rory
-
I so enjoyed the thoughts ...
and this is the 2nd of your word art that I've read this AM ... There is a certain elegance to your free verse that I, as a basic form poetry writer, throughly enjoy. IMHO you have a unique voice that displays free verse as it should be and not the drugged-sort of ramblin' of who-could-tell. I should think that if I wanted to expand my knowledge that your poetry would be a fine example ... I was already forming my thoughts for "tropical flora and fauna" as I read yours. Very nicely shared! j
y
-
I feel I have a long way to go in writing poems.
This was great
-
For those who have been elsewhere in our world with tall, elegant forests of green green trees, the Aussie bush is not aesthetically pleasing. Any bushland is an improvement on any, "urban desert". Well done.
Adding your comment:
1 - 8 of 8
