Trees Poem by Adeline Foster

Trees

Rating: 4.5


~ Trees


There’s a tree outside your window
Go call its name today
For tomorrow it may not be there
And you may want to say,
“There was a day when I knew trees
By bark and limb and leaves,
Before they were all swept away
By this civilized disease.
And, where the pavements parch the ground,
Once lovely, stately trees stood ‘round
And murmured softly in the breeze,
And cleansed our air and in those trees
Something called birds would sing and play.
Yes, long ago there was a day...”


Written to a dying palm in Nassau

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Topic(s) of this poem: poem
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Tara Teeling 16 January 2008

Gorgeous Adeline, as well as haunting. I love the reference to a 'civilized disease', aptly put. There is a sense of craft here which stands apart from other work. I thoroughly enjoyed this and intend to read more of your words. You've inspired me!

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Jerry Hughes 16 January 2008

Delightful Adeline, as one fortunate to live amongst towering, aged eucalypts fortunately protected, I relate to your poem very much. Warmly, Jerry

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Thad Wilk 22 January 2008

This is a lovely poem Adeline! Imagery and thoughts captured excellently, *10*! ! a pleasure to read! ! Friend Thad

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Letna Davis 05 December 2008

ok, at first reading it I thought you wear talking about someone who was ill, that would have been a beautiful way to explain dying from an sickness, with a touching ending.

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Ruth Rivers 10 September 2009

I lived in down town Minneapolis for 20 months and didn't go out side of an 8 block span for six months. I remember walking on a sidewalk thinking how strange it was for the city to plant trees in cement. A moment later I realized I was so used to the cement and concrete that the trees had become the oddity. This poem captures those thoughts. Thank you.

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Paul Butters 25 March 2016

This reminds me of a poem, The Last Rabbit in England or something similar. So much for progress and civilisation indeed....... Sad but hauntingly beautiful poem this.

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Lovenia Anthony 19 November 2013

Adeline, I read your poem trees. It tells of the past so beautifully and what sadly happens over time.

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Bri Edwards 24 January 2013

Adeline, this prompted me to turn to my right and say towards the western window hiya birches, and then turn to my left and say towards the eastern window hey there pine. i liked the use of something called birds. i hope i don't live to see THAT day! but i think i could live with it as long as there were mammals, fish, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and a few others. i might be able to do without humans though. though, maybe not. now i better search the requirements for sonnets and give more thought to trying my hand at one, as you suggested to me. bri

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Danny Draper 02 March 2012

At least you stopped to notice, so often trees decline or disappear and are hardly missed. Unfortunately a lot to do with tree appreciation come from socio economic status and is a diverse and complex topic. I liked this poem succinct like the passing of trees. I have a few tree themed poems I draw your attention to.

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Carla Olson 26 October 2011

A great tribute to the beauty and purpose of trees in our environment. A reminder of why people need to appreciate them for they give life to all! Beautiful topic and write!

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Adeline Foster

Adeline Foster

Instructor of poetry, Hagerstown, MD
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