What’s that?
That sound from the wood!
Does that bare tree complain a lot?
It does not!
It cannot be.
Is it the call of a bird?
It might maybe.
But high on its boughs
I can’t see a thing:
Not a sign I see.
I listen in, all ears,
And found out now
That the sound
That had puzzled me
Came after all
From the tall old ash tree,
Creaking in pain,
In vain to complain
Of the way that the wind
Blows to bow and to bend it.
A reminder to me
That the suffering of man
Sounds so much the same
In everything but name.
(My own translation of my poem in Gaelic 'Ceist Agam Orm'.)
as the wind may bend a branch, and even break it from the body the roots are deeply grounded, and as firm as can be that is the reason it is called a tree. (and so is this poem, it is firmly grounded)
My wife asks questions such as this, the wind, the creak, the whistle the song that goes unexplained. My neck also creaks from all the bending it does. In spite of all that it is a joy to notice things. Like you have in ths lovely poem. Bob
Very interesting write, not only trees and humans are crying of pain but the whole nature is suffering from the throes, we hope something good will come out of it! 10/10
Metaphor and imagery gives you the right to sit beside the civilization. A human life also bends and bows with high wind which blows from unknown-eternity to sweep away our material identity. Splendid. You have painted it by words. No where is finishing but a finish to be finished. The tree weeps, weeped The Hitler also. Thanks. Write more poet.....more you write........ Regards, 10++++ pranab
Who listens to the subtle voice of greens? Except poets…global pollution makes them weep… They love us but in return…well we know what we did...do and will do…contemplatively humane…thanks muchhh Voted 10+ Ms. Nivedita UK
WOW , , i love these verses, , , spoke to me so much Came after all From the tall old ash tree, Creaking in pain, In vain to complain Of the way that the wind Blows to bow and to bend it. A reminder to me That the suffering of man Sounds so much the same In everything but name.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Simple but a touching poem