The last of acorns from my stately oak
now rests; a poem in my open palm
and echoes stories that the summer spoke,
it tells of rainbows, storms and evening calm,
it speaks of winds and how the stately oak
once let it leaves with wind sing psalms
of rain and water’s waltz and how it stroked
it’s acorns with its mother’s love, gave alms
of sap and how it stirred a sapling’s hope
inside each nut to grow with every dawn,
with every spring into yet a stately oak.
Gillena presents her form “the fold” at toads. I hope I managed to fulfill all the constraints. I will also link up to Poetry Pantry tomorrow morning.
—
February 24, 2018
This is stunning … the kind of layered – and hypnotic – piece that begs to be read aloud. The rhyme/cadence is sublime … the eloquence of the extended metaphor … the images … the wordplay … all come together in this dazzling poetic work. A joy to read!
Wendy,
I have noticed that you have become a published poet of some fame. I am quite impressed. I had wondered how things worked out for you on your move to the West Coast.
I finally retired in 2013 and am still in Thunder Bay. I realized that everything here was good. The only faculty member still in the department from your time is Phil Fralick, and he says that he is going to retire after the 2023-2024 year.
Glad to hear that you are happy there.
Steve Kissin
a rainbow in the reading – this is, as already noted, hypnotic – and so reaching – deeply rooted and yet so lavishly layered – stunning! I could sit with this for a few hours – I just might, to pass a pleasant evening in reflection! (well done on the form Bjorn – wow!)
Just beautiful, Bjorn. There is so much history in an acorn. And, as Wendy mentioned, wonderful layering in this poem. Amazing, isn’t it, what can grow from an acorn? A tree…or even a poem!
Wow! This is awesome a whole new way of looking at an acorn. A poem in one’s palm. Luv that image.
Thanks for participating Björn
Much💖love
Breathtaking poem, Bjorn. I don’t know what the form calls for but its flow and rhyme pattern are so pleasing. I would love to hear it read aloud.
A beautiful metaphor poem, Bjorn, straight from the branches of an oak tree, in your open palm – a nice play on the word ‘palm’! I love the echo of stories that the summer spoke, particularly the lines:
‘it speaks of winds and how the stately oak
once let it leaves with wind sing psalms
of rain and water’s waltz and how it stroked
it’s acorns with its mother’s love…’
Love the idea of the oak tree like a poem in the palm of your hand.. stunning image..
Oh gosh this is so beautiful!💞 Love “sing psalms of rain and water’s waltz.” Beautifully executed! 🙂
Fantastic!
I love the stories told by this stately oak, how she cares for her acorns and gives hope to saplings. I actually like this form….. it has a way of drawing out the meaning of each line.
Oh this is lovely! I’m enchanted by the description of care and love that went into each acorn.
I love the image of the Mother Oak stroking her acorns, her offspring, until they become oaks in their own right. This is a wonder-filled poem!
This is an absolutely lovely fold poem!
And the wheel of life continues …. a great write Bjorn !
This is beautiful, Bjorn.. magical, and awe-inspiring, that oak.
a very fine response to the form, and a real delight to read. 🙂
I love “and echoes stories that the summer spoke”. Your rhyming and metre in this poem is glorious!
Inspiring!
I loved this!
The acorn has such an untold story. You gave it a voice.
I love your perspective on this simple tree fruit….so much we miss when we see just an acorn. This is just fabulous!
This is beautiful I love how you ended this on such a strong and positive note.
This is a sweet poem, Bjorn. Loved the metaphor and the same time, I can sense hope, love and care. I adore the words – walter’s waltz, psalms of rain.
Happy Sunday Björn
Much💖love
I love this. I once visited a plantation called Oak Alley in Louisiana. An alley of magnificent and ancient moss-draped oaks formed an alley from the plantation house to the bayou where guests would arrive. It was magical, and I so wanted those old oaks to be able to tell their story!
One of your best!
ZQ
Love the image and your words are a beautiful tribute,
Elizabeth
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/dance-of-veils/
If only we would look at all living things with such love and admiration as you have done here Bjorn, What a beautiful read this was.
I love, ‘water’s waltz’. This whole poem was like a dance in a dream.
So much in an acorn. I had trouble understanding what was required for this, but this poem is stunning. The acorn becomes a thing of wonder kinder your pen.
I love your poem. It stirs a place inside. Will read again. Thinking of saplings filled with hope.
I was mesmerized reading this. It is so soothing, beautiful and full of hope. Your words are so tender and perfectly chosen. Excellent writing!
Loved every bit of this … acorns hold a special place in my heart – my youngest son (10) still pockets them, brings them home, his treasure – therefore mine as well. I’ve written a few poems about acorns but none as lovely as this one.
Woww awesome post
Pls see this
https://reveuse014.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/its-not-love-if-you-have-to-ask-for-it/