A tribe of trees undressed
with outer skin shed
except for a loincloth of bark-
some leaning towards the country lane
like elders with osteoporosis
one in particular bent so out of shape
I wonder how it stands a chance.
But really, they are survivors
... of the wrathful Hurricane Ike
... of last year’s horrendous drought
and I think about how much has changed
how much has stayed the same.
I’m on my way to see my nephew
born after Ike, almost two.
Goats, donkeys, horses, cattle
graze in pastures framed by wooden fences;
windmills, tires for sale, a fruit stand
strewn upon the vista like afterthoughts
whiz by without a second glance-
does anyone ever stop?
Mobile homes, these fire hazards
seep of poverty, despair
and a cross in the median-
a decoupage of bold bouquets-
reminds me life goes on
like the ever-reaching pines.
©laurie kolp
23 comments:
life does go on...and those survivors are pretty cool to see all twisted and still they grow...love all the little snippets too of things seen along the way...like this laurie...
Like this so much, L.!
Trees, to me, are a barometer of life and earth--to be treasured.
Oh, wow, that first stanza floored me. Then the meditation on survival, Ike, the drought... Wonderful write. I don't know whether you're expecting drought again where you are, here in Austin we're right on a kind of cusp. Most of the recent rain has fallen just east, the Highland Lakes are still too low.
Gorgeous writing, Laurie! I love your attention to detail. I feel like one of those old trees bent out of shape!
Too much yard work!
i enjoyed this notes from a trip,
Laurie. perceptive writing makes
me think about life, her sorrows
and joys so intimately twined.
This is so beautiful, Laurie. The wording so well thought-out, and the ending is perfect.
I also love "a decoupage of bold bouquets reminds me life goes on". So visual, so inspirational.
Oh my word, Laurie. That first stanza is incredible! The whole piece is wonderful, but I read the first stanza several times. Your imagery is so detailed and creative---the undressing, the loin cloth, the leaning. I'm seriously impressed.
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I love the attention to little details. Description is not easy to do. Liking the flow too, Laurie.
This a beautiful multi-layered piece about survival, even on our hostile planet. Thoroughly enjoyed Laurie.
Survival, that's what it's all about, and you wrote of it well. I really like the first stanza.
I loved taking this road trip with you, and could see all that you passed. The last stanza brings it home! Fantastic write, kiddo!
Incredible sense of growth and purposeful pausing to acknowledge the past, important. Love your closing, Laurie!
the comparison of trees with patients of osteoporosis was awesome.the whole poem is remarkably vivid and the final message, most authentic.
indeed it does Laurie...yet it is incumbent upon us to remember, to see the suffering and allow it to open our hearts and hands in compassion...may we all have the strong roots of the bent tree and supported by the kindness of strangers, even if the support is only a look of wonder and amazement.
All these wonderfully painted details make for such a vivid poem! So true, life does go on...we survive and can eventually thrive if we persist!
Ohhh my...societal comment with a ton of real thought put to it. Made me feel like I was reading the memoir of someone who had a story to tell....I would listen.
Such a beautiful piece...we drive the road of survival and from their twisted continuance we should learn we too can survive whatever storms befall us.
Indeed it does...Vivid tale of the I scenes of despair and sadness ~
Happy Monday ~
When one survives, one almost never remains unscathed - trees show the peel of bark and the gnarl of limbs after the wrath of a hurricane, and the heart too is marked after an emotional storm. What is noble is to be able to forget these scars, and continue to live.
Very strong piece Laurie. Brings back the memories of when I had to work in Mobile just days after Katrina and all the carnage that was on full display for anyone who cared to take the tour, as well as those visuals you couldn't help notice, even if you chose to close your eyes. Fantastic read. Thanks
crosses on the side of the road, after all of what came before. wow.
The beginning and end are POWERFUL!
What a great poetic road trip with you...I enjoyed your thoughts and images very much Laurie! Nicely done.
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