My life is a contrast in opposites, transforming from one extreme to the other: youth to middle age (…not old yet!); son to father; health to sickness; joy to pain…some flipping back and forth many times. I just returned from a business trip to
May you find peace and joy in your life,
Alan
A Tale of Two Trees
By
Reaching, soaring, aching to touch the sky,
My spirit drifts upwards, releasing a sigh
That intertwined with many fingered branches,
Creating illusions, stirred by magical trances.
Spear straight trunk, clothed in rough, warm bark,
Towering over the green meadowed park,
Like a sentinel guarding my soul’s yearning,
To bask in the glow of realities burning.
Invisible roots plunge into black, moist soil,
Reaching deep to anchor the relentless toil
Of leaves bursting into the sun’s glare,
An explosion of life, expelling resurrected air.
I stand in awe of the mighty soaring tree,
A gift from God to set my spirit free;
Warming grace draws my heart to praise;
A song of worship spurs my hands to raise.
I wait in silence, the sun dipping low,
Elongating shadows stretching, a lazy flow
Of darkness, fingers seeking to capture my mind,
Thoughts imprisoned, in glass enshrined.
At last, I walk head down, on the shadowed path,
Pushing aside faint whispers of echoing wrath;
Memories of branches weaving in lightning’s glare,
Thunder bellowing, rippling sound through rain soaked air.
The ancient heart beat, echoing centuries past,
Observing human lives, streaking fast
Like fireflies, furiously pulsing their feeble light,
Then vanishing into an eternal night.
And so my light flashes bright, then dims, a glimmer
Of subsiding passion, remaining to gently simmer
In a stew of treasured memories, left to cope
With life’s painful end, clinging to waning hope.
Aching, fatigue creeping through the morrow of my bones,
I stop and bend low, a slow exhale of creaking moans;
Kneeling on the hard ground, thankful for rest,
To breathe deep, a brief respite from life’s cruel test.
A rough, twisted branch touches my wet cheek,
Smearing weary tears, drawing my eyes to seek
Dark shapes dancing in the rustling wind,
Blowing hope from the heart of an old friend.
The twisted trunk crouches above the ground,
Where roots sprawl, anchoring chaotic sound
Of entwined branches pushing and shoving for space
To stretch and breathe in a peaceful place.
Lumbering branches dip to touch the earth,
Thumping a rhythm of laughter and mirth;
Inviting repose where children ache to play
In mystery tunnels shrouded in green and grey.
I touch the bark worn smooth by children’s feet,
Scurrying to adventures complete
With tales of dark terror and fright,
Told by breathless leaves in the blackest night.
Remembering, I set free the aching pain,
To run and dance, releasing lust to reign;
Engulfing my life in foolish pleasure
Of pounding hearts beating together.
Explosions burst into glowing clouds;
My mind caresses, my spirit enshrouds;
Warm tendrils promise hope and peace
While nurtured warm in a cozy fleece.
Drifting, my soul touches the tree’s heart,
Recoiling, then reaching boldly to impart
Soundless words of gratitude and thankfulness
For moments overwhelmed with happiness.
I cry, then laugh, burrowing deeper into dark shadow,
Seeking the light, illuminating thoughts to know
The path, leading to eternities hallowed gate,
Eager to accept predestined fate.
Two trees, one tall and proud, one broad and bold,
Beginning and end, enduring seasons hot and cold,
Rising high, bending low, shedding tears of pain and joy,
Offering death to an old man, and life to a young boy.
I pray that God creates a mighty tree
To guard your soul in eternity,
To dry your tears, and heal your pain,
Cleansing your spirit from life’s searing stain.
Brilliant as usual Alan. Thank you! You should publish a book of your poems Alan.....Really!Once again, Thank you!
If your poems are not published, they certainly should be. You are a treasure.
Hugs,
Nini
Alan...Thank you. Again. You've touched my spirit and I really needed to feel that today. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.I think I know that tree, the one I climbed as a child, my secret place of refuge and the one that grows within me now forming the strength my soul needs. As always, Alan, it's beautiful.