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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Old Misty Tree


The Old Misty Tree

The Old Misty Tree

The old misty tree stands all on her own
Watching and waiting, forever alone

Once she was young, just a century since
When children with joy, did laughter dispense

When lovers did meet with wine and embrace
Lay under her bows, shed shyness and lace

Yet now she has aged, grown hard and too cold
Seen far too much, with nothing to hold

Her limbs creek and rattle, her leaves flutter dry
Her trunk wide and gnarled, her heart full of sighs

Owls sit high upon her, in deepest of night
Birds nest in her crooks, red feathers a bright

Within her dank holes, squirrels snuggle sweet babes
Wild nature abounds in the cool of her shade

The years she has seen, the ages gone by
The sorrows she knows, the reasons she cries

She’s been there for many and seen them all die
She’s questioned and wondered and asked her God why

Why a tree must grow old, and stand through the years
When all else that sprouts must soon disappear

If only she could, she’d pass from this earth
Rest and then sleep while others are birthed

Yet stand she still must, till her time of release
When she too can find silence, darkness and peace

So know you know why, when you pass her by
Why her brown leaves weep misty, when the skies, they are dry

Tim Wilkinson & Wayne Wilks


12 comments:

  1. WOW, i love this poem!!!!!!! thanks so much for passing it on!!!!!!!

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  2. You're welcome, Lorilynn! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  3. Great poem! Great image too! Thanks!

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  4. 'The years she has seen, the ages gone by
    The sorrows she knows, the reasons she cries'

    very nice, reminds me of my mother toward the end, when she was so sick and said, "i've seen enough, why cant it be my turn. "

    great poem barb and lovely picture with it!

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  5. Ohhh, Yolo! I know what you mean. My Mom has been saying that for the past couple years. They know when they're ready to go.

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  6. Great Presentation. Thanks for displaying my name and Blog as you said you would. I am flattered. I will say more in my email.
    Tim Wilkinson
    Wayne Wilks

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  7. I like the poem very much for in it I see a great depth of feeling and understanding of the natural world, and your beautiful image goes well with it.

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  8. Thank you so much, Montucky! I'm sure Tim will appreciate your comment as well. :)

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  9. Right away I thought of Shel Silverstein's children's book "The Giving Tree". Both the illustration and poem so closely connect to this story. Always such a poignant message.

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  10. The Giving Tree is a wonderful book!! Thank you, Preston! :)

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  11. I love trees and mist, and this image is lovely with the frame and framing. Great poem too. :)

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