It’s Poetry Friday!
The leaves of the cherry tree in our back yard usually turn a fiery orange. That lasts about a week or so, then they all drop at once, sometimes seemingly overnight. But this year is different. The leaves on the outside have turned, but the inside leaves, the ones closest to the heart of the tree, are still green. It could be because of the lack of rain this season, or maybe the warmer temperatures, but to me it’s as if the tree is in denial, keeping something hidden to protect it.
If my poem for today strikes you as having a political undertone, it was unintentional (except “perhaps” on some unconscious level). The photo is the tree from last November, in all its fiery glory.
Perhaps
The maples know they must let go,
do what must be done.
But the cherry, oh the cherry,
she just pretends to understand.
Tipped with orange,
cherry hides what green remains,
holds it close,
protects the calm,
unprepared for the harsh to come.
Trees are survivors,
perhaps we are, too.
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Karen has the round up today here where she shares a hopeful poem by Ellen Bass. Be sure to stop by to fill your heart with lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Here’s to being survivors! This reminds me of a poem I’ve held close for many years: “A Secret Life” by Stephen Dunn. The tree holding her green leaves reminds me of how we might each benefit from holding something secret and sacred, just for ourselves, not for public consumption. Thank you, Rose! xo
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Love that thought, Irene.
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I love that you know this tree, Rose. You understand its rhythms and habits. I believe it actually speaks to you. : )
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I think so, too!
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It does not surprise me that this beloved tree continues to inspire poetic words in you, Rose. It is your gift –to mine the natural world for beauty and hope when we need it. Thank you!
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Thanks, Patricia.
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I like “cherry hides what green remains.” We are survivors as a species– our particular demographic is not used to having to be fierce (unlike some folks who have been forced into it for a while) but I’m sure we have it in us.
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Thanks, Tabatha.
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Lovely, thought provoking poem, Rose. Cherry tree in survival mode — just like us.
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Because you know your tree so well, it’s special that you write of it, Rose, wondering what it knows, perhaps, that we all might know. Our dry & warm October has made many leaves stay on the trees. I’m unsure when they will decide to fall, or if it will hurt them! That “pretends to understand” is a provoking thought!
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Trees have so much to teach us — the apple tree in Ellen Bass’s poem, and your cherry tree.
Survivors, for sure.
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I love this tree poem. Last week Amy LV had a tree poem so we did tree poems today in my class. One of my students chose the cherry tree. I love your ending. I wrote an ode to cypress. They are resilient trees that bend in hurricanes.
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I just reread Joyce Sidman’s Winter Bees. It has that poem “What do Trees Know” and your poem reminds me of that poem. Trees are survivors as are we.
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I love Winter Bees! Perhaps it’s time to revisit. Thanks, Jone.
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I love that “tipped with orange.”
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Fabulous personification. I like that cherry tree with all her protection and trying to understand.
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I hope we are too! Thanks for sharing this–you’re such a lovely observer of nature…
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I’m with you in finding messages of hope and truth from nature. Nature doesn’t necessarily put them there, but I am finding them!!
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