it is always the trees
I notice first perhaps because
they are shorter, green
in the wrong months, palm-leaved
exhausted by the never-ending
growth they cannot escape
next, the grasses vining, matted
odd outgrowths of flowers
of unsettling crayola shades
knock-kneed, longed-necked fowl
I am transmuted towards
a single of the thousand and one
places, mysteries resisting
their slow-spiraling offerings
as I learn to sit still
the unraveling begins slow,
rolling forward; I sip tea
inspect the landscape, shelve
my words, and wonder aimlessly
praying for hibernation
34 responses to “It is always the trees”
I love the flow and rhythm of your poem. Beautiful!
Thank you! I very much appreciate it!
Wonderful imagery and layers of meaning and I like how you used enjambment to pull us through the poem. Really effective, Gayle. Your weather reminds me a bit of ours when I’m in the desert. While I was there recently, they were in the process of removing the summer flowers and planting for winter–which is always more beautiful. This year they have begun the process of installing artificial turf–getting ready for drought and the amazing water restrictions they have imposed with significant penalties for overuse. Good thing, though.
Oops–I’m sorry Jenifer. I got mixed up. Happens a lot lately. :0)
Wow. That will really change the landscape! So glad you enjoyed this. What a great idea you had!
I grew up in WA state where seasons are distinct, physically & emotionally; then spent a decade in S. CA, & had to adjust to the subtleties of seasonal change; 76 degrees on Christmas. I, too, had to slow myself down, & pay attention. I like your lines /mysteries resisting/their slow spiraling offerings/as I learn to sit still/.
Very happy you connected with this. Thank you!
Such a tender wistfulness in this piece 🙂
Thank you. Very kind.
I specially like the ending stanza, the slow unraveling and waiting for hibernation ~
Yes. Sometimes I think the whole world would benefit from a long nap! Thank you so much for you kind words.
I like how you notice the trees first. Many of the trees here grow throughout the year, “green in the wrong months.” That’s the way of nature here, “as I learn to sit still.” Really nice.
Thanks very much! I am from Chicago and happened to fly into Florida this week. It takes a surprising amount of adjusting just to take in the ‘alien’ flora. Glad you enjoyed!
I know what you’re saying, and the further south in Florida the more ‘alien’ it gets. But I do love our subtropical plants and greenery here.
Unbridled growth of flowers
where spRing never
ceases is almost
where i live now
in Indian Summers
growing to New Year
of next freeze
now.. beauty
increases
after Winter’s
kill finally comes
without clouds
Sun never
comes
out..
without cold
hot chocolate and
fireplaces of Love
rarely soot warm..:)
Wow! That is beautiful.
Smiles.. Thanks so much for the inspiration of your poetry..:)
Really enjoyed the rich words (such as ‘unsettling crayola shades) you used to present your images; and ending with the sipping of tea is perfection.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it.
This is a lovely poem 🙂
Thank you! So glad you stopped by.
Keep writing! 🙂
You are very kind. Thank you again!
🙂
I love that you are praying for hibernation!
Don’t we need that once in a while though? Thanks for visiting!!
Definitely!
The movement in this is so beautiful–the growth, spiraling, unraveling. I can feel the disorientation, the overwhelming.
“shelve/my words”–um, not.
Well, I just keep going back and reading again.
Thanks. Very kind words. 🙂
“unsettling Crayola shades”…love that image. You drew us through this most wonderfully – and how we need to learn these subtle differences. and enjambment – oh my how well you used this here!
Thank you! I am so glad you liked this one.
Thank you! I am so glad you liked this one.
You sound like a transplanted northerner in a southern climate. I get that same feeling when I visit some place warm and sunny in winter. It’s a nice break, but it just isn’t ‘right.’
A friend from the southwest visited me in Spring and could not handle ‘the unrelenting green’! 🙂