Though Lovely Is Her Memory

Across the lea a north wind blows,

soon follows on soft swirling snow

to cover where the grass grows green.

Into the distance, there alone

and flanked between a wall of stone,

stooped low and twisted leans a tree.

Her branches bend, her branches ache,

caked heavy, burdened they will break

or wait for warmth to set her free?

Throughout the winter, chill and bleak

her ageing limbs are weary, weak,

and shiver in the biting cold.

Long gone those russets, gone the golds,

the rustle of October bolds,

in skirts that danced in autumn breeze.

Alas the verdant green in spring

will not adorn her frame again

nor will her blossom gently fall.

No living thing is built to last

like us this tree was doomed to pass,

though lovely is her memory.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

Wa7f for. Cv. V Are d C CBC tvthg a C we es C. Hi Chris... I have no clue as to how this Strange Code appeared...
wish I knew! Sorry it took you down a “rabbit hole” like Alice in Wonderland.
Let us hope this does not happen again. Charlie Chan could not solve this Code! Tomorrow is my 🎉 Birthday.. so Life is precious to
me. My daughter will be on a Trip so she is having “flowers” delivered tomorrow morning April 23.. looking forward to receiving them. Stay young and Vibrant. fondly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dearest Pat, I am intrigued by your response. I have been pondering for some time. It must be a coded message :) Or maybe a tree whispering in a soft summer breeze. My Dad would have broken the code by now being a wizz at maths and physics. Alas I haven't inherited his scientific brain. Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... I adore your description of a soft summer breeze. It must be a secret message from an Angel that knows many mysteries. Be still and listen to your 💜 heart. tenderly, Pat

[Meerie_EJ]

Wow, I really love this. Personification of trees is one of my favorites. you do a really good job of showing the lifespan of old trees or "burdened" ones. Really good! Your rhythm in the poem itself is really well done too!

[Chris Shaw]

Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Stella Armour]

Trees have souls, i am convinced of it, such lovely warm tactile beings.

I love autumn best simply because of the melancholia of the trees;their beauty, second to none.

A lovely tribute to a tree that has aged and probably given much pleasure to many in its lifetime ..

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Stella, thank you so much for your lovely review on my tree poem. I thought I had already replied to you, but on checking my work this morning found I hadn't, so please accept my apologies for the late response. I am a tree person, I absolutely love them, through all the seasons and I agree with you when you say their beauty is second to none. Warm regards to you Stella.

[Wild Rose]

I hope it had some good wood for a crafts person turner to use
To make tables bowls and such
Then it will live on and be cherished for ages and ages

[Chris Shaw]

I don't know about this tree but when my damson tree died, we got some very nice place mats out of it. Reminds me of how beautiful it used to be and what lovely jam we had over the years. Always sad to lose trees. Thank you for reading.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem for the tree. My Grandfather had many trees and rose bushes. He loved them and he took care of them. Now I visit them. I see my grandfather smiling, laughing and telling me. Be kind to nature. She is a kind gift from God. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry. It is sad when a tree is lost. Like a old friend lost.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote for your kind review. Very much appreciated.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem and you are welcome Christine.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I felt that inevitable lump in my throat, making it hard for me to swallow. Beautiful writing, Christine!

[Chris Shaw]

Always sad to lose trees. The ones in my garden are like old friends. We lost a cherry and a damson tree last year that were in the garden 36 years ago when we moved here. Now that put a lump in my throat. No more damson jam and no pink cherry blossom in spring. Thank you for reading Kelly.