Below unseen rest world-roots
spinning bloom to buds of you and me,
there beneath the firmament of wood
the norns tend lifelines of our being,
only they will know the length
of the filament that’s named for you,
and if you want to know
you cannot ask the clouds
you cannot name the tree
it keeps its secrets deep,
but if you bow to soil and branch
the tree might whisper
answers to any question that you
never pose.
This is linked to toads where Kim asks us to write about a tree of mythology. I will also link this to Poetry Pantry
—
April 21, 2019
Björn Rudbergs writings 
only they will know the length
of the filament that’s named for you…
This is genius!
Spoken with the wisdom of the druids..
Well done. I love the oracular presence of this old tree. Maybe all of us lifeforms (visibly organic or invisibly) are growing together and on for better and worse!
“but if you bow to soil and branch the tree might whisper answers to any question that you never pose,”… Love this! ❤️ Brilliant write, Bjorn 😀
What a glorious tree this is! I love “it keeps its secrets deep.” And a lot of lived history as well.
Trees. I love that they keep their secrets deep. That their filaments determine our age and death. In truth, they really do.
I will seek a tree and sit and wait for answers to questions that I do not pose. Lovely ending, Björn!
I ask our trees all sorts of things but I’m still waiting for an answer, Björn. But seriously, this poem is my cup of (witch hazel) tea. I love Norse mythology, the idea of ‘world-roots spinning bloom to buds’ and the norns tending our lifelines – I have a soft spot for female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men. I also love the lines:
‘you cannot ask the clouds
you cannot name the tree
it keeps its secrets deep’.
I’ll be listening in our garden for whispers.
A tree like in your photo, seems so stately, and wise – and it has “witnessed” so much. It holds fast to its secrets. It must think us fools.
you cannot ask the clouds
you cannot name the tree
it keeps its secrets deep,
SIGH- so lovely.
Ah yes thats what humbling oneself brings, the gift of wisdom
Thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday today Björn
Much❣love
Wonderful write!! I enjoyed it!!
‘the tree might whisper
answers to any question that you
never pose.’
There is something very philosophic about that line. An awesome piece that leaves a contemplative pause in its wake.
Ha. I love that ending, answers to questions we never pose. I felt myself to down in the reading and feel quite elemental.
Yes, that grand tree has seen so much, knows so much. I wish it could speak to me.
Really like your poem. Reminds me of hours spent leaning against trees, letting their whispers enfold me.
Elizabeth
I Didn’t Expect That Ending.
When you said there was only one tree you could write of, I knew it would be Yggdrasil. But the poem, which I find at once delicately restrained and deeply exciting, tells me some things I didn’t know. Although I do know that Yggdrasil cannot be seen by human eyes, your photo is exactly what it should look like!
PS I do bow to soil and branch! 🙂
Bjorn, this is a masterpiece.
How amazing if we could hear the secrets of trees… !
there’s a deep sense of mystery about this poem, and it’s great to read and reread it again.
a masterpiece!
OH I have no doubt that the tree knows all the answers! I like the flow of this poem, Bjorn!
Fine use of nature as symbolism
I like that bjorn. Answers to any question that you never pose, great ending!!
If you bow to the soil … yes, honour and respect, and listening with humility stands out here.