Ok everyone....I've seen some beautiful poetry about trees and forests going around, so I thought I would make a discussion thread exclusively for TREE POETRY.  Anyone who would like to post tree poetry, feel free!

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Breath

by J. Daniel Beaudry

Tree, gather up my thoughts
like the clouds in your branches.
Draw up my soul
like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk
bring me together.
Through your leaves
breathe out the sky.

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Waiting for a Message

by Rochelle Mass

Trees help you see slices of sky between branches,
point to things you could never reach.
Trees help you watch the growing happen,
watch blossoms burst then dry,
see shade twist to the pace of a sun,
birds tear at unwilling seeds.

Trees take the eye to where it is,
where it was,
then over to distant hills,
faraway to other places and times,
long ago.

A tree is a lens,
a viewfinder, a window.
I wait below
for a message
of what is yet to come.

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Think Like a Tree

by Karen I. Shragg

Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.

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Advice from a Tree
By Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,

Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

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Hug a tree

just for fun

just for glee.

Hug a tree

even one

and you'll see

like the sun

you will be.

So come on Tom!

come on Lee!

love a ton

and be free

extend each arm

and hug a tree.

Love and light,

Aisha.

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What is a tree?  a planted seed?

An old soul growing all around me.

A hope, a plea

But what does it mean?

To live, to breathe

To cry, to grieve

Comfort & shelter, amongst the leaf

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Walking in my lonely darkness,

I find my-Self amidst this freezing snow

-But there is no shelter here

Through darkened ages I flown,

Carried on the wings of existence

To places called Unknown

-I have sought shelter here

Yet through un-winged travels,

Un-walked trails,

I find my loneliness is not that lonely-

The lush green of silent trees

-Has always been my home

Even through the snow,

They have grown.

Silent lucidity,

They have embraced me!

This will always be my home

-They grant me shelter here.

©Zoe Satorie.

Wonderful arts...! Thanks, Steve...! (I've already checked out your websites and photoalbums at Care2, too....! A lot of great works in there...!)

I also love the other poems in this thread...! Thanks to you all...! (I'm a big treehugger myself and collect stories and poems about trees.... --> unfortunately most of them are in German...)

I'll show you one of my tree pics at least... "My" willow....!

Love,

Ina

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I'm happy, that you like my pic...!

Yeah, I know, Willows are great friends... They are the best listeners, and even very godd advisers, too...! "My willow" was my first, and probably my best, spiritual teacher.... And she still is... I've really learnt a lot from her....

Here's a poem for all willows and willow lovers...

To the Willow Tree

by Robert Herrick

Thou art to all lost love the best,
The only true plant found,
Wherewith young men and maids distrest
And left of love, are crown'd.

When once the lover's rose is dead
Or laid aside forlorn,
Then willow-garlands, 'bout the head,
Bedew'd with tears, are worn.

When with neglect, the lover's bane,
Poor maids rewarded be,
For their love lost their only gain
Is but a wreath from thee.

And underneath thy cooling shade,
When weary of the light,
The love-spent youth, and love-sick maid,
Come to weep out the night.

See you,

Ina

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Robert Herrick lived from 1591 - 1674

Just in case you wonder about the "funny" language...!

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 Bonnetta! You wrote that?  What a beautiful poem that was!  And an awesome pic to go with it!  Thanks so very much for sharing that with us!

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Open House
Aileen Fisher

If I were a tree
I'd want to see
a bird with a song
on a branch of me.

I'd want a quick
little squirrel to run
up and down
and around, for fun.

I'd want the cub
of a bear to call,
and a porcupine, big,
and a tree toad, small.

I'd wnat a katydid
out of sight
on one of my leaves
to sing at night.

And down by my roots
I'd wnat a mouse
with six little mouselings
in her house.

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I dream of being there with you.
You stand so tall as I once glanced
beyond the greenest land. You are
still there. My dreams are closer
now, colors of your smile are vivid.
I will be there soon, please wait for me.
It wont be long. My home will warm
you with delight. Smell thy fire I burn
within my circle of life. Lie me down
gently under your womb and let me
smell the freedom that you fragrantly
ascend. You are my ponderosa.

copyright ©

Bonnetta Rohde 4/22/05

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Think It Through

©1998 Lorna Prentice

They're cutting down the last trees in the forest Dad

Can you hear the axes ring with every stroke?

They're going to the logging mill tomorrow

It's enough to break the heart of every bloke

What's happened to the river down the valley Dad?

It used to flow so fresh and clean and clear

The water looks a dirty kind of yellow now

And I haven't seen a fish there for a year

You don't see many birds around here now Dad?

It's strange to hear it all so deathly still

We used to hear the bellbird and the tui sing

But now I don't suppose we ever will

Remember when we used to go a-walking Dad?

Along the shady paths we used to roam

We'd find so many fascinating treasures there

And talk about them all the way home

I wish they hadn't stripped out all the forest Dad

It used to turn the wind into gentle breeze

If only they had thought it through much better

 I ask you now, please don't cut down a tree
Though tis the season, a tradition, a time for glee
Better to dig out that tree stored away, with all the debree
Down in the cellar, bring a flash light, you'll need to see

There she is, all ready to be dressed
She's been waiting and waiting, boy is she stressed
Where have you been? I need to be caressed
With tinsle and lace, time for me to look lovely and blessed

Pour on the Emerald, a dab here and there
To make me smell pretty, for no one will know where
I've been all the years, in a corner in the dark
Lonely and cold, where there is no light, not even a spark

It's time for celebrating, in this winter wonderland
You see my lovely branches extend with love, take my hand
The lights that cover me, will vibrate and touch your soul
Come closer, as you will feel a love for life, oh so grand

I may not be what you perceive as real
As I have no fresh roots, that you can steal
Though I come to stand tall and true
As a mother with a newborn, compassion says, I love you

Bonnetta Rohde 11/04

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Another lovely poem from you Bonnetta....you are so talented, and I thank you for sharing your talent with us!!

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I walked out one morning

Through the woods around my town.

The season was slowly turning,

And the leaves were sifting down.

~

The taste of something salty

Still lingered in my beard,

And a whisper lost in silence

Floated above my head.

~

These old Live Oaks have known me

Since I was just a child,

And I have come here before

To seek the council of the wild.

~

The morning light has turned to shadow,

And the voices barely heard

Are humming to me softly.

My own heart has heard their words.

~

As I ramble back to my cabin

The sky takes on a different hue.

I leave my friends behind me

And I know what I must do....

~

Archie Logsdon

11/29/05

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She was just a little twig; just a wet leaf on a stick but I saw in her potential, something in her made her thick and a generation later she stood out against the grass and her hair was crisp chartreuse that sparkled like a fire of glass She was beautiful and slender with a pride that made me tear And who on earth would dare to give her anything to fear? ...on a wooden chair I sit alone with shame, hypocrisy For who could take this stunning child away? It would be me.

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                    Pale Blaze (Acadia)

              A delight
  Comes sudden on my heart, and I am glad
  As I myself were there! Nor in this bower,
  This little lime-tree bower, have I not mark'd
  Much that has sooth'd me. Pale beneath the blaze
  Hung the transparent foliage; and I watch'd
  Some broad and sunny leaf, and lov'd to see
  The shadow of the leaf and stem above
  Dappling its sunshine!

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
The Lime-tree Bower my Prison, 1800

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Tess, Bonnetta, and Danny.....Wonderful poems!!  Thank you so much for sharing!!  I love and enjoy each one tremendously!!

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Thank you Tracy! I really enjoy all the tree poetry that has been posted in your awesome group here. I read them all and thank  everyone for sharing. There all so beautiful and talented poet's. Please post and share more tree poetry. I need to write more and create more for our tree's,for I love them all so.

peace,Bonnetta

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A deeper darkness in the night is all they see of me
As I sit high above in the branches of my tree
The loneliness surrounds us, our desperation grows
The depth of our despair, none of them ever knows
We're all alone in this world, though some have dared to try
Still we are alone, my friend the tree and I
The tree alone can understand what it's like to be me
And I alone can understand what it's like to be the tree
My beautiful tree has lost her leaves, the coming winter stole them away
One by one they fell from her and began to decay
Now she's bare and freezing cold in the late autumn chill
She hopes the winter won't come this year, but we both know it will
I understand my tree, my tree understands me
Instead of dealing with the pain, she sleeps and thus is free
I long to sleep as the tree, to hibernate and dream
But each morning I awake and my soul begins to scream
I'm in my winter, my snowy hell, my soul is freezing fast
Unlike the tree, I cannot know how long the snow will last
I think of our fates and it's so unfair that I begin to weep
My tears wet one of her last few leaves as my tree begins to sleep
         We are strong, my tree and I
         We don't think we deserve to die
         So high in her branches I shall lie
         And I'll force myself not to cry
         And we'll watch the moon as clouds roll by
         Counting the stars in the night sky
         And off to dream my soul shall fly
         My spirit shall give one last sigh
         And let them never wonder why.

                   ~~ author David Noelle ~~

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TALK TO THE TREES

Talk to the trees, for they are wise.

Be still and listen, open your eyes.

See the beauty that lies within,

that flies silently, with the wind.

Talk to the trees, for they will hear.

They've been listening for many a year.

They bring you vision; pure insight,

and bring you dreams for the night.

Talk to the trees, for you will see,

what its like to be free.

No guilt, no lies, no compromise,

for simplicity, is truly wise!

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I felt such peace when I visited this thread with all it's lovely tree pictures and beautiful poetry!   I feel sadness, too, knowing that so much of this beauty is being destroyed!   I cry on a daily basis as I pray to God for His divine intervention. 

On a good note, in my city where Hurricane Katrina destroyed so many trees and construction is consuming so many others for housing for the victims, trees are being given to not only the city but residents as well for planting!!   Amen!  I am also taking people with me on March 21 to a City Council meeting to see what is being done to conserve what trees we have left and maybe also to create a park. 

I have named my group P.A.T.C.H.  (which stands for Plant A Tree Create Habitat).  How about P.A.T.C.H. groups in EVERY city in America?   Strength in numbers, I say!!!  Who says we can't fight City Hall?   Any takers and any ideas where to start? 

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Sun blinding the shade
Tree smiling in wonder
Spring is on it's way

copyright © Bonnetta Rohde

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There are so many lovely poems in this thread and I thank you all for sharing your wonderful works with me.

You are all very talented people, but somehow Rose.W. your poem spoke to me. It has a simple, clean, clear message that just moved me. Thankyou very much.

Also loved the picture. What a lovely old tree.

Blessings and Peace.

Elvin

Hi Elven!   Thanks for taking time to read some of the great tree poetry the members have contributed!

Margaret....love that one you posted!  Thank you for adding another great one to the list!

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  my roots go down...down into the earth...my roots go down, down into the earth...my roots go down down into the earth...my roots go down.....

thank you tree huggers one and all!

in peace and love...

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Hi Lorraine! This tree hugger says you are welcome!

Margaret!  Love that poem!  Thanks for posting it my dear friend!

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Hi. I just joined the group and the last message I was able to find for the tree poetry discussion was from 2006. Was that when the last message was posted? I wasn't sure if messages regarding tree poetry were posted somewhere else or what.

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Hi Stacy and welcome to the group.   It is still active but Tracy has been working such long hours for a long time that she is not always able to get here on a regular basis.   If you have poetry or something you can either post it here or maybe create a new thread for it.    Invite your friends, too, and let's get this party rolling! 

I am a member and I will definitely be excited to see the group more active again!

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Hi Vicky,

Thanks for the green star and the warm welcome. I may post a poem I wrote about a memory tree. I haven't decided if I want to post it or not.

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The Presence of Trees

by Michael S. Glaser

That is beautiful! I love it! Did you write that Birdie B.? Thanks for posting it.

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Hi Stacy,
It is by: Michael S. Glaser
I love his work....
I am so glad you enjoyed it

Hi Stacy, Vicky, and Birdie! Please forgive my late response, as Vicky said, I can't make it here as often as I'd like to as of right now.  Working on it though! 

Birdie, that was a very lovely poem, thanks for posting! 

Stacy, there are active topics on here, but unfortunately the poetry one fell into a bit of a lull after awhile.  Definitely is in need of some new tree poetry, so please, don't be shy, we all would absolutely love to see the tree poem you wrote, please share!! 

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POETREE CONTEST

Earth Love and poet Stacy Smith come together in a

transatlantic poetry competition dedicated to the theme of trees.

For details, visit one of the following websites:

http://srsmith25.tripod.com/tranquilmoments/index.html

http://earthlovepoetrymagazine.co.uk/default.aspx

The Memory Tree

 By Stacy Smith

Last summer, in a park

where the only voices we hear

are always our own and those of

Mother Nature’s feathered choir,

after picnicking with my children

’neath the spreading arms

of a multi-tasking

being of God,

I stumbled upon

a reminder of death,

and the celebration of life.

On the grassy carpet, a

man’s name and his living years

are frozen in time with a small block

of stone. Behind the stone, a life’s

remembered through another one.

A few years have passed since

this new life was

first rooted into

the peaceful habitat,

where it dwells with

magnificence and splendor.

The living memorial bestows

comfort with its gnarling fingers as

family members gaze at a life that lives

on through the memory tree. The love

that the family members have for

this special person continues to

grow each and every

day as the oxygen

giver reaches for

the wild blue yonder,

towards the life it represents.

As I paused at the

tree, I thought to myself:

I hope someday when it’s my

turn to say goodbye, I’ll be honored

in the same way—a life remembered

with Mother Nature, whom I’m a big

admirer of. Then, when my future

generations would see the tree,

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It appears my poem was cut off. Don't know what happenend there. Here is the final stanza in its entirety:

As I paused at the

tree, I thought to myself:

I hope someday when it’s my

turn to say goodbye, I’ll be honored

in the same way—a life remembered

with Mother Nature, whom I’m a big

admirer of. Then, when my future

generations would see the tree,

they would see a

reflection of me

and the memory

tree would bring

some breaths of air

to those who pass by,

when I have taken my last.

 Poem published in Tree Magic: Nature's Antennas, ed. by Jackie Hofer, 2005

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Wow!   That is truly a beautiful poem, Stacy!    It gives me a feeling of serenity as I read it.   Thank you so much for writing and sharing it!  Do you have lots of published poetry and/or stories?   Or maybe that is what the link is you posted.   I will check it out in a bit. 

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Thanks, Vicky. The links go with the blurb about the tree poetry contest that I organized with the editor of the Scotland-based magazine, Earth Love. Both links have information on the tree poetry contest, as well as nature poetry by various poets. The first link is to my website, Tranquil Moments. The second is to Earth Love. The contest will benefit a tree organization. Thanks for the nice comment on my poem and for the green star.

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Lord, the air smells good...  by Rumi

Lord, the air smells good today,
straight from the mysteries
within the inner courts of God.
A grace like new clothes thrown
across the garden, free medecine for everybody.
The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise,
the first blue violets kneeling.
Whatever came from Being is caught up in being, drunkenly
forgetting the way back.

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Stacy, that poem you wrote was absolutely beautiful!  I love it, thanks for sharing!  And I love the cause behind it you are supporting.

Elizabeth, that is a very lovely poem, and that painting is spectacular!

to you both!

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God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods.  But he cannot save them from fools. 

                ~John Muir

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A Blessing for the Woods
     by Michael S. Glaser

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LONELY TREE

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten,and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning;but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.

Thus in winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.

          ~  Edna St. Vincent Millay

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The Presence of Trees
      by Michael S. Glaser

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Beautiful samples of tree poetry Vicky!!  I truly can relate to the one from Muir....that trees cannot be saved by fools....because it is those fools who are ruining the earth with their greed and disregard for nature!! We need more trees on this earth and so many "fools" are bulldozering and chainsawing down our beautiful tree friends.

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I'm glad you're enjoying the poetry Tracy and yes, so many people are not only fools but callous and uncaring fools.   They show no regard for endangered animals, trees or anything.   Very sad times we are living in.    It seems the more people do to turn these problems around for the good, the more bad people do bad things.   But we cannot stop trying.

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