This is why I love poetry. I will never again see a tree as just a living thing, but as one who breathes and sighs and weeps at our destructive folly. I will never look down our carefully planted rows of pine-y woods and see only shade, but the shadow of an army poised to defend not hatred, but love. Suddenly the planting of a tree offers immortality, or at least a glimpse of it. And if I leave my kisses on its branches, will my grandchildren be there to receive them when I am gone?
Claire (Cassie) Selleck replied on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 08:50am
This really touched my heart, beautiful imagery. Your soul shines through in this poem. I hope someday they kiss you back.
The ending! I want to walk out into my yard, into the street, and kiss everything and everything kiss me back!
Why are poems about war always timely?
What is wrong with us?
But what is right with us is evident also in this beautiful poem.
This is why I love poetry. I will never again see a tree as just a living thing, but as one who breathes and sighs and weeps at our destructive folly. I will never look down our carefully planted rows of pine-y woods and see only shade, but the shadow of an army poised to defend not hatred, but love. Suddenly the planting of a tree offers immortality, or at least a glimpse of it. And if I leave my kisses on its branches, will my grandchildren be there to receive them when I am gone?