Still Standing
This poem reflects my deep connection to my oldest mentors, the Trees, even at my worst point in life. This was written during a time when only expression through poetry, and their quiet wisdom, could save me.
Still Standing belongs to the following groups:
! Creative Writing & Poetry !, All Out Emotion, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art For The World, Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, The Art of Pain, The beauty of poetry, The Healing Journey and Who are YOU to Judge?I stand like a Tree
surrounded by City.
Harsh, cold concrete binds my roots!
I shift uneasily in this
Unwelcoming ground…
While the fumes from the constant stream
of snarling metal beasts keeps me from breathing deep.
I find it only brings the despair and anger
of the City deeper into my Heart.
I fear the awesome bite of these gleaming brutes,
yet far worse is the bitter miasma that constantly seeps
from their Masters and Mistresses…
The Walkers, the Pourers of Concrete,
the Lost, the Despairing and the Murderous…
The Wind runs wandering fingers through my emerald hair.
She’s trying to comb away some of the worry and thoughts
that lie so heavy on my head in these troubled times.
With a sigh, I turn my face towards the glittering Sun.
I drink in His Light and dream….
I Dream…
I dream of a time when the Air was not thick
with the accumulated sludge of raw emotion;
A place where my roots can hold tight
to Mother Earth, without fear…
without regret,
or imposed control.
No walls of iron, no poisoned elements…
Somewhere free of this constant assault,
Endless noise,
And the torturous errosion of overwhelming Misery!
I bathe in the comforting warmth and
Beauty of the day
and Dream
Of Joy,
Security,
Freedom….
I cling to the moment,
And dwell not on the coming of the Night…
I stand,
Like a Tree…
Surrounded by City.
lianne
Oh my goodness Quinn – how moving and profound this is. I believe as the Native Americans do that the trees have much to teach us. I thought you might appreciate this quote and Native prayer:
“Even the trees have spirits – everything has a spirit.”
—Mary Hayes, CLAYOQUOT
The trees are great teachers. The trees are great listeners. That is why we should meditate in their presence. The Great spirit is in every rock, every animal, every human being, and in every tree. The Great Spirit has been in some trees for hundreds of years. Therefore, the trees have witnessed and heard much. The trees are the Elders of the Elders. Their spirits are strong and very healing.
I think they’d be applauding your beautiful poetic effort here, my friend.
Quinn Blackburn replied
The Standing People (Trees), have been most generous to me, and will always be one of my closest Teachers. You will find them in my Who Sings series, both general and specifically… Pine, Oak, Apple, Rowan… they are not the recordkeepers of Earth that the Stone People are, but their memories are long and they hold forgotten Wisdom from long gone eras. This particular poem is just one of the thousands of ways they have helped me in this life thus far. :)
catherine walker
beautiful..and you are giving a lovely tribute to the trees..I love them too, and always think of them as creatures that just can’t move as we do..but they’re still so
alive..so well done..wonderful thoughts!
Quinn Blackburn replied
Did you know that trees can move, slowly over the course of years, in order to move into a sunnier spot nearby?
catherine walker
NO..I didn’t..what do you mean they can move..my god..wow!!!
Quinn Blackburn
http://www.floridaplants.com/horticulture/mangrove.htm Magroves are the first that come to mind, but I know there are other species of Tree that can do the same thing… some palms etc. I found it fascinating. Basically, they put out roots on the side they wish to move towards and slowly let the roots on the other side die. It’s a slow movement, and always towards sunlight, but definitely movement. Richard Preston talks about how trees fight for sunlight too, and there is a wonderful piece on youtube featuring his discussion on Sequoias. Even the band Rush wrote a song likening the Trees battle for sunlight to mankind’s domineering attitude to their fellows.
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can’t be happy in their shade.
Rhenastarr
Your writing is so beautiful. What a well of talent pools within your soul. Just glorious. Thanks for favoriting my poem, Native Sons/Native Power, this is how I found you. This is a favorite for sure.
Quinn Blackburn replied
So glad you enjoyed my poetry, and thank you for the kind compliment. :) wishing you laughter