Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for March Slice of Life Challenge.
In February I took Kim Douillard’s photo challenge “One Tree.” I photographed and wrote a poem about our grandmother oak. Today I took pictures of another old tree. This one is a century-old cypress. It sits in the back surrounded by our deck. I can see it from my living room windows.
Cypress 1
Late winter sky
branches bare
reaching upward
in arabesque.
Cypress 2
Beauty builds in bold lines.
The cat climbs
crouches on a wide branch,
waiting.
Cypress 3
Whispers of wind
move wind chimes
watch the weather
and sense the day’s calm breath.
Cypress 4
This old tree cradles my bones,
my health, my heart.
Soon fresh citrus green will appear.
Showing me that life returns
again and again.
–Margaret Simon
Love the photos with the poem – a special treat this Monday morning! Love the alliteration and the sense of peace and calmness I feel after reading your poem. I liked it so much, I reread it twice. Sorry to have to leave this page!
High praise to read it twice. Thanks!
I love this Margaret! I so connected with your beautiful words. The birds woke up this morning and chirped as I read your poem, a perfect sound track.
Thanks for stopping by. I wish we could share a cup of coffee, too.
I read this twice. Then I studied each picture. What peace. What beauty.
What a magnificent site from your house out into the world, Margaret! The poem is wrapped around the tree and branches in a beautiful flow of thoughts.
I really liked the idea of pairing the photo and the poem. I need to try that. Loved your words so carefully chosen. Happy Writing!
I like that you used multiple pictures of the tree from different angles rather than a single picture of the tre. Your poem has beautiful alliteration and word choice, but I particularly like “This old tree cradles my bones, my health, my heart.” I plan to use this idea of a photo challenge and then writing about that with my students.
Just beautiful…I loved these lines about your tree:
branches bare
reaching upward
in arabesque.
Thanks Tara. Trees are attracting my interest these days.
photos and poems – I am in love with your tree and the water way behind it. The poems made me want to sit on your deck with you and have tea! Thanks for sharing on this Monday morning.
1#
Poem By Jessica Bigi
Summer Daydreams
On a Sunday afternoon
In July I saw shadow-dolphins
Swimming branches of our oak
Mom would tie lines of cloths
To its branches
Trying to catch silver
Wishes of fish
As they dove though
Lopping branches of
Summer daydreams
On a Sunday afternoon
Thanks for the poem comment. You honor me.
I just read this to my student who was concerned that poetry had to rhyme. So wonderful to read a perfect example of all the things poetry does and doesn’t have to rhyme.
I would not use the word perfect, but thanks for the compliment I am terrible at writing rhyming poetry.
I love the images and actions. Also, I am so jealous of your green grass right now!
We never even had a freeze. Mild winter.
Beautiful! I would love to see your corner of the world some day.
You are always welcome!
Wow! That tree is so amazing and majestic. I love trees. Your words of admiration are so fitting for such a grand view.
I bought my new home because of a great old tree. I think you need to start gathering your tree writing. It is quite wonderful, Margaret. I love “cradles my bones”.
These are gorgeous, Margaret! Your words have such a sense of peace and calm to them. I love these lines: “Showing me that life returns/
again and again.” Like Beth, I’m jealous of all that green in the background and longing for spring!