A Pillar Of The Community? Poem by Martin O'Neill

A Pillar Of The Community?

Rating: 4.9


Three hundred and twenty years in the making.
Lovers have met
Battles been fought, won and lost
And the afternoon heat
Has been endured here.
The King of the castle triumphed-
And was duly deposed here
Armies seen off
Defenders overwhelmed.
An enemy base
A home sanctuary.
Hitching post
Rendezvous, spaceship and monkey bars
Oh, and cuckoos have been heard here.
Countless hands, feet and tired posteriors have left their mark.
And it has left a mark in my heart, here.
The old tree trunk in the park.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Jacqui Thewless 13 July 2009

Would have preferred the last line, first - though I know you aim to 'reveal' stuff at the end. To buck your own trend once in a while might be more of a surprise, though, maybe?

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Patti Masterman 01 February 2012

And to think some people..see only a tree. But never us poets, eh? Wonderful job of unveiling some history one might not suspect was present merely in the location of some tree. Also, history has a way of choosing its own places and times.

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Elena Sandu 07 February 2012

Yes, trees are true pillars of a community and I feel them as much more: unconditional love and peace messengers. Thank you for this wonderful write, loved it.

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Juan Olivarez 22 February 2012

Wonderful poem, I too have such a friend Martin. Mine though is a magnificent specimen of live oak that I planted myself many years ago. It now covers two lots. I think this poem is is very well written.

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Micmac Mccrory 23 February 2012

The stories some trees like this could tell; but only the 'grass' whispers. Your secrets are safe with a tree. Why are they called trees? Even when there is only one of them. Micmac

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Susan Williams 06 September 2020

We realize What a perfect title that is when we reach the end of the poem.

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Susan Williams 06 September 2020

Countless hands, feet and tired posteriors have left their mark. And it has left a mark in my heart, here. The old tree trunk in the park. - - - - - -> awesome poem, awesome, lead-up to the ending which explained what was going on and left the reader happy and amused by the journey to that ending! ! !

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Elena Sandu 01 September 2014

Back to this brilliant poem, can't help it, need to thank you again for sharing it! Its beauty stays in the words between the lines, only the masters of a pen with ink from the river of heart can write such staff. Thank you for share!

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Lyn Paul 17 December 2012

Beautiful, the history of the tree. How many tales lie beaneath. Great work

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Ruth Walters 04 August 2012

There's nothing like an old tree trunk in a park to spark off emotions and this poem has them all.....a battle of them................ Ruth

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Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill

Solihull, Birmingham, England
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