Secret Life Of Trees

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Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Secret Life Of Trees

#1 Post by Kenneth2816 » 15 May 2022, 19:19

As kids, I scratched your name
in the skin of a Beech tree.
It was all I knew of love.

Beneath the ground they say
trees can communicate.
Great tap roots find each other,

exchange information like the
gossip of a mongering fishwife.
and chat like lovers over tea

When I die and they dress my body,
tell them not to fuss with my hands.
I want to carry your dirt forever.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#2 Post by BobBradshaw » 15 May 2022, 21:03

Terrific. I love the casual, humorous imagery…”gossip of a mongering fishwife”, “ chat like
lovers do over a cup of tea.”
The hands image works well.
Fun read

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#3 Post by Kenneth2816 » 16 May 2022, 05:00

Thanks Bob

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#4 Post by Michael (MV) » 05 Jun 2022, 15:44

Hi Ken,

I believe e. e. cummings would love this poem, especially the finale.

Below, I have gone through with a punctuation check applied; also, a slight edit in stanza 3. -- Michael (MV)

As kids, I scratched your name
in the skin of a Beech tree.
It was all I knew of love.

Beneath the ground they say
trees can communicate.
Great tap roots find each other,

exchange information like gossip
of a mongering fishwife,
and chat like lovers over tea.

When I die and they dress my body,
tell them not to fuss with my hands.
I want to carry your dirt forever.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#5 Post by Kenneth2816 » 05 Jun 2022, 18:34

Thanks Michael

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#6 Post by Michael (MV) » 06 Jun 2022, 23:29

Actually, this is the one I specifically would recommend.

Michael (MV)

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Secret Life Of Trees

#7 Post by Kenneth2816 » 07 Jun 2022, 09:47

Thanks Michael. My IBPC days may be over.

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