When I was an orphan
you took me in,
your branches were
my only green.
The moon
was a tenant in them, too,
my only other friend.
Back here in the old
neighborhood a couple days,
I thought I'd visit,
but you're gone too
and left no forwarding address.
Today I live in the sky
with a human
playmate I've found.
The moon stops by our place sometimes,
beams at us through the window
as we clatter our pots and pans.
I'll tell our old companion I was here,
and even if on her far-flung
travels she finds no trace of you,
your green still soothes me
and I can hear your leaf-lattice
murmuring in my heart.
As Thomas Wolf said - 'You can never go home again' - some things are best remembered. The tree served its purpose at the time, but you have moved on now and it is not necessary for your comfort now. Great perspective, and use of an inanimate object as a true friend and companion. Love it! Linda
IF EVER THERE WAS A POEM WHICH CONTAINED THE POWER TO MOVE ME IT WILL BE THIS, ABSOLUTELY FIRST CLASS, TOP DRAW DO NOT QUESTION YOUR ABILLITIES AS A FINE WRITER WHEN POETRY SPEAKS THIS CLEARLY, DO NOT INTERUPT LOVE DUNCAN XXXX
When I was a child there was a tree in my yard that I called The Seven Sisters. It had grown up from a stump, with 7 branches. I think I spent more time there than the birds did, day and night! Thank you, Max, for reminding me!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
More apparently casual brilliance Mr Reif. There's definitely something in Thomas Wolf's words, but I think it's also true that there are some things you can never leave behind - even when someone has taken the axe to them, as is implied here. This took me back to another world, but it's never really that far away these days. Great poetry.