Her reflection silver upon the dark
waters where she sat just out of sight
hidden from the sunlight. He saw
promises of forbidden delights.
Bronzed by sun with rippling muscles
made strong by working the fields,
he felt he was the promise every one
of the young girls was dreaming of.
When he parted the curtains of willows
bough, he saw her as beautiful, perfect
of limb and well breasted. He knew, she
would be thankful, he was so well endowed.
* * * *
The forest protects its kin and every tree
knows the dyad that lives within. For she
keeps the leaves turned to the sun, makes
sure the roots get all the water that they need,
brings the colors that fall decrees and protects
from rot and mold every nook and cranny
of the tree. She tells the birds where to nest
and lets the squirrels know when to frolic and play.
* * * *
When he let his passions rise above all sense,
sought to take what was not his by right or any blessing
sigh she might have sent. Her screams from her plight
brought a strong response by the tree, her knight.
With branches tossed and whipped about, this young
and savage fool was pulled to roots open to the stream.
There are many who swear when they wander there
They hear a strange and horrifying sound, as if
someone was being drowned. Others will comment,
when the sun is right, it looks as if someone has
become part of the tree and they are caught
mid-scream. Now it is not for me to say,
but the dyad of this gracious and many limbed tree
was never scared again by a silly youth, who had
no respect for magic or life and was thinking only
with the head of his brainless tool.
4:47 PM
02/15/09
Alexandria, VA
Author notes
A simple parable about those who think only of feeding their needs.
A contest entry
- Tree Picture Prompt *Interesting Picture* by Dragonbabyx3.
2549 points, ended March 3, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
-
I liked the legend put to voice here...
I also admire the message. Too much on this
earth has been consumed in the name of selfness
and it appeals to me that there are dyads that sing suffering and smiting oaks that shield them. Blue
-
-
I just wanted a simple tale to capture the way people caught in their "me-ness" are brutalizing what is around them. Then, I guess because of my sense of fairness, I wanted to see him get it in the end.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
Oh my this is an amazing; I loved each line....of this as I got sight of this wondering spirit...ruling this mans heart & soul into foolishness....How sad for him him to allow his little head to rule his big head...you must know many males do that....also the shoe can fit a Female also.....seems he was caught in his own web of imagery & fantasy....You have done another great poem about the people of our world and there desires, needs... I can see clearly the mistakes he made..........excellent write........novy
-
-
We, humans, to often think the world is here to meet our desires, it takes maturity and inner grace to realize we are but participants in a larger dance and must move with a sense of wonder and grace.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
Fairytale Material...
at it's finest and from a solid lesson in life...because you never really get away with being selfish. You do meld and it becomes you and you become it until one day you are something even you don't want to look at and may not recognize your own scream. I heard that Tom...excellence!!!
-
-
I am off to work. Just, wanted to say that this is also about a false sense of power. We only have power over our word. Is it or is it not valid.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
WHO IS THIS MAN?
Is this an overall view of these types of natures, and charcters, those lacking integrity?
Have you ever been one of them?
If you have, Thank God, mercy has been granted you....
We never stay broken, we grow and life brings along change.
Usually, we find ourselves swimming in the pool of pain. Always a helpful and most essential lesson. Part of Life 101....GOD ALWAYS HAS THE LIFE PERSERVER....
We must learn to live in God's wisdom. It's always an Invitation to Love.We learn courage that reaches the depths of our hearts.
Thank you for the encouragement to send the photos, yes ,I do love. -
-
Lack of integrity has not been one of my problems. This was about those who think that everything in life is to serve their needs and what can happen when the world does not agree.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
the head of the brainless tool - cute way to put it.
very interesting. the "she" portrayed in this reminds me of the disney princesses that prance around the forest before the prince rescues them... like sleeping beauty... or snow white. LoL
-
-
Just working with a mythological setting. Trying to create my own fairy tale I guess.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
I love it...So well you express in this one...
The end is priceless lol
You always amaze me
Sis♥
-
-
Thanks dear heart. I wanted to create another myth as parable. Like echo and Narcissus (sp?) Glad you enjoyed.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
a wonderful pen you have there sir Tom lol
Indeed a mind stopper with a hint of wisdom.
njoyed this read.
Love
Passions
-
-
In this world we are all interlinked, those who forget get their disrespect. Often when one is thinking about only themselves, the world bands together and they find themselves in hell.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
Not so simple, Tom. I had to look up the word 'dyad,' and when I did, I incurred more words I didn't understand, but basically I get the idea of something internally intrinsic to being....
You did a great job of writing a fable/parable expressing vanity and consequences, sinkingly so!!!
It's mythalogical in the telling and the god-like take on very human characteristics. I thought of Narcissisus. He couldn't get beyond his own reflection, either. And then there is always the princess and the frog. In the modern version, she is emancipated and has frog legs for dinner!
-
-
Thanks for editorial comments. Unfortunately there are those who put their needs ahead of all others instead of being sensitive to the magic and gifts of the world. This might be called green lib.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
WHEN DOES THE YOUNG MAN LEARN?
When does he realize he is no longer a young man? Let the regrets flow from the palm of the hands.
Forgiveness must come from within.
-
-
He sleeps an eternal sleep of torment at the root of the tree he has become both served by the one he would harm and part of the being of the one who protects her. Interesting case of punishment and karma.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
ooh this is a wonderful write that feeds my love of myth and magic, a write that does not give too much away but leaves a wondering at the end for the reader to decide the fate of this selfish self centred man as nature protects she that is at one with the forest.
-
-
I wanted to make it as much of a surprise as I could. A quick narrative tale, with a satisfying end is tricky to pull off, so I am glad you enjoyed.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
this is a piece of sorrow for the woman and of justice of nature. to fool the man as she nutured the tree. knowing full well that trees can do more than what the eyes can see.
-
-
I enjoyed creating my own myth here. Selfishness and thoughtlessness -- large or small, brings its own grief to those who perpetuate it upon others.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
we humans are fickle creatures, there are many who do tend to think of ourselves first. Interesting thoughts you have penned for the picture prompt.
Juls
-
-
Just like I like the idea of muses, so do I love the idea of creatures, godlets, inhabiting tree, stone and rill. Many are so foolish in their greed they forget the wonders that can be seen. I am like many others in loving to see such fools get what is coming to them.
love,
Tom B.
-
-
A stunning and magnificant write! Honestly, I am truly estatic about this piece... The imagery was beyond compare, and the message itself was golden! I really enjoyed this piece, Thankyou for entering my contest, and Good Luck!
-
-
I loved the picture the first time I saw it. I had to sit with it for quite a few days to find something unique and insightful to write. Like anything first seen, ones thoughts cover all the passe. I am glad, I waited to get beyond them. Thanks for enjoying my effort so much.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
-
-
Makes me nervous to think I have my initials scratched into an old man of the forest...the images of man and nature blended to give us a message, you do this so subtlely but strongly C
-
-
Look at the picture that is the prompt for the contest and you will even better understand. I am sure it will elicit a poem from you and if this is true be sure to let me know which one so I can read it too.
Love, Tom B.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 28 of 28
