That silent tree on winter hill
will it speak again come spring?
I cannot hear while winter's breath
is driven away from it still.
Soon we hope for that spring day
when new growth can be shown
to the world around in green glory
in the Creator's time and say.
It is ours to keep this tree
in the care that it deserves
from time of planting to this day
and the future days to be.
This is our Kentucky Coffeetree, one of many different trees that are set aside as what we call Legacy Trees. These are planted in remembrance of someone and to honor them. It looks nearly dead in February but it will look like this in the summer:
Linked to Poets and Storytellers United: Writers’ Pantry #8: We Like Multiples of Three
It seems these silent trees of winter will never green. I walked by a couple of saplings we planted last year and they seem so fragile. The wind has broken off several of their little branches. Such a mystery every spring, they way they suddenly burst with new life.
ReplyDeleteI like your coffee tree.
Thank you, Yvonne. I hope your saplings return with vigor in the coming spring. The tiny buds burst with new life if we are lucky.
DeleteGreat words. I suspect it won't be silent for much longer.
ReplyDeleteSoon, Anthony, they it burst with the green of spring. Thank you for your kind words. I spent some time at your Keyudos site and I appreciate your efforts to bring out the words in all of us.
DeleteHow lovely, in its bareness and in full bloom. And planted for the best of reasons.
ReplyDeleteThis is a special tree for us for several reasons and was our first Legacy Tree that went through the "nomination" process. Thank you for your kind words, Helen.
DeleteI'm glad you posted both photos: an amazing transformation. Yes, we must care for the trees.
ReplyDeleteThis tree especially, Rosemary. It represents many things to us and I may share the reasons sometime. I'm glad you like the photos, the summer one is a little older.
DeleteAwesome write. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, ZQ. I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteLove the title … is strikes me as a bit of a metaphor for the piece that follows. Also, I thought that you struck on a compelling cadence AND I enjoyed reading the note on the Kentucky Coffeetree (which also, I think dovetails beautifully with title and poetry lines).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. You packed many kind words and compliments in there and I appreciate each one. This tree was our first Legacy Tree plus it is very special for other reasons that I may share from in the future.
DeleteTrees are the most beautiful things and how sad I feel when they stand stark and naked - but then when life returns and they are lush and green, I could lie beneath and watch them for hours. Love them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Anna :o]
Thank you, Anna. There are many benefits that come from trees including the comfort and beauty they bring. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteWhat a perfect way to honor those who no longer walk this plane with us. Not just because a tree--especially one we care for--reminds us that we will never lose those we keep in our thoughts, but also because this particular tree sings a song of rebirth year after year...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Magaly. Our legacy trees also honor those still among us to give them the opportunity to see them grow. Thank you for the thought of the trees being born anew each year.
DeleteI enjoyed this. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThank you, R. I appreciate your kind words and I'm glad you liked this.
DeleteI too hope it comes around for Spring. Here, most trees aree green all winter long. Those who shed are blossoming now, whites and pinks. Very pretty. Nice write.
ReplyDelete..
Maybe 10 more days until the redwing blackbirds are due to return. To have the native trees, I need to expect the bare branches during winter. Thanks, Jim. I'm glad you liked this.
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