A Tree Stands Alone

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Tags:
  • Life
    • ,
  • Philosophy
    • ,
  • Nature
    • ,
  • Family
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  • Angst

    Poem Commentary

    My father had to pretty much raise his family when his father went to WWll. He became a man at 9 yrs old, I believe. He worked hard to live off the land--his mother and 6 siblings relied so much on him. He was not a big man physically, but he was strong in so many ways. This is some of what I feel about my Dad. He died in 2005 and I will never reconcile myself to the loss, but writing about him does providse some healing.

    A Tree Stands Alone

     The young tree. so thin and green
    Held more strength than was seen
    It stood alone,but bent with the wind
    Springing back to stand again

    Unscathed. its limbs pressed harder
    Against the elements, against the weather
    Its winters were few, its history long,
    It learned survival so early on.

    Perserverance made him determined
    He refused to bow to anything
    He beat his branches, dug in his roots
    Did what it took to avoid a stoop.

    He went to war, he came home
    Took a bride, made a life 
    Planted seeds, watched them grow
    Reaped a harvest, sometimes sorrow

    He never asked anything of his world
    He worked, he stood, he remained
    Gained wisdom from the things he saw
    The beauty, the malice and the pain.

    How hopeless humans are he thought at times
    But he also knew
    The Creator of all life saw them differently
    He made them too.

    He saw  the seasons, he changed
    Donned a new coat so many times
    Sometimes misunderstood, often revered
    He never swayed from what he stood for--this awesome tree,
    My Dad. 

    Poem Comments

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    copergirl commented on A Tree Stands Alone

    01-24-2011

    Belatedly--thank you Cher
    Reply to Comment

    cheronld commented on A Tree Stands Alone

    07-21-2010

    Very nice tribute to your father....I love the metaphor of the strength of the tree about your dad.....it showed how strong he was and the way he coped with whatever came his way....really nice poem...Cher
    Reply to Comment

    When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

    John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA

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