“The Great Grisly Big Tree at Mariposa Grove”
by Marianne North
takes a mighty man
one still hard with
plenty of bark on him
tall in his heartwood
stout fearless limbs
turned and ready to
swipe at his sickness
sweep its deep insult
of mordant affliction
from easy self-pity
stand head in the sky
feet rooted in pride
torso scribed by his
history rings marking
memories fraught
with his persevered
hardships his times
of abundance the
scars won in wicked
harsh seasons these
memories holding him
fierce in the face of
advancing disease
he has no skills to halt
but can nonetheless
laugh at it curse it
a boom to his voice
that the whole of the
forest will never forget
From my books Small Noise and Legacies (vol. 2)
Never surrender epitomized. Great stuff.
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cheers, mike
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I wish there was a “love” button, rather than like. This was quite the story, message, expression and beautiful writing. It’s written by you, I’d never expect anything other. I’m VERY connected to trees, so I found the cohesiveness close to my heart. Well done, as always Paul.
Strange, you’re now the 3rd person, aside myself, writing similar versions of the same expression, as did I, though not poetically or all so creatively, as my mind can’t dig deep again “yet” (I was going to say anymore, but I prefer to remain positive, and there is no proof that it won’t improve). We all seem to be on the same wave of thought. I love when that happens. Even more so, I love when it’s noticeable.
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I also have affinity with trees – it’s very important to me and I’ve written about it often, in different ways – thanks kindly
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YOUR WRITE ABOUT TREES IS AMAZING AND ENGROSS ME TO READ IT COMPLETELY. SIMPLY AMAZING
READ MY LATEST P[OEM MY DERAMSLEAVE YOUR COMMENT WHICH IS VALUABLE FOR ME.
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many thanks – I left a comment for you
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WELCOME
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Your’s is a ‘tree of life’ as once it stood in Eden. What a powerful metaphor for a life living in the face of felling storms . . . Bravo!
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I thank you most sincerely – David Jeremiah writes in n Sanctuary: “The psalmist says the righteous person is like a tree planted by streams of water. Just like a tree is nourished by the constant supply of water—without which, under the blistering sun, the tree would surely die—so the life that is rooted in the Word of God will also be established and will be strong.”
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Splendid, Paul.
Stand tall. More so, with the years.
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you’re very kind, ken
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Thanks for being real in your amazing poem. It heightens the majesty of the tree.
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I always try to write from honesty
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Passion and brilliantly beautiful writing.
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many thanks
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Most welcome.
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The booming resonance of no longer being, and yet
Bravo
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thank you most kindly
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