Man's Lament

To stand like a tree: purposeful,

Resolute, on a green hill or roadside,

In freezing cold, scorching sun, or

Sudden rain.

 

To see the world set ablaze, face

The grinning of razor blade teeth,

And not budge, but where I stand

Hold my ground and plant my feet.

 

To hold up the sky, breathe out life,

Catch thunder bolts, die, and with

Every spring revive, to be a place

Where nest are made.

 

To be an open palm for bird and beast,

The table and the fire for a feast --

Tell me, what more could man be?

But, despite his beauty, poise and grace,

 

He is a fallen leaf, brittle, and

Blind to his own purpose and place.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

Man can be as tall as a tree or short as a shrub
He can rise to meet any occasion or succumb to circumstances.
This poem offers life's perspectives

[Lorry]

To be shelter for something that needs shelter sounds enough of an upgrade in life itself, but think of seeing life as a tree does, over seasons and not minutes and to view all life as nature untended, with no greed, profit or selfishness involved in your thinking and your only action is to be the viewer, a recorder of life as it passes. . I wouldn't mind signing up for that.
No more schedules or deadlines to fret over. Plus, it isn't like you'd be friendless either, withal who seek your shelter.
It does sound like something you'd be chosen for and not have to apply for, although I'm assuming they would come to interview you, seeking as your roots have taken!
😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I wish we could all find that purpose...I don't know how much longer this tree will sprout new leaves each spring, but I do know this tree was lucky enough to find a purpose to my life. I had to be replanted several times but finally the roots sprung.
j.