Thoughts Of An Oak Tree's Spirit

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 16 Nov 2021
  • 6643 reads
26 comments
 

When winter's grip is strong, heaviness upon

complex roots; crinkled cold though it maybe,

already knows landscape stirs.

 

This oak clearly transfixed in approach of

human contact, the muffled swirling breath;

apparitions of bitter chills,

 

hearing slight crunch through penetrating snow;

like me Raven greets white wisdom of purity,

standing silently watching flakes dancing in forest

from dawn to dusk.

 

On this slumbering unspoken repose; melted

contemplation those fleeting trails, still visions in

constant trance; aged knots and furrows against

slow fluctuations alter little by little, where insects

tickle powerful bark when air is warm, and daylight's

long.

 

Hear soothing pleasure...earth's pulse connecting with

days when rhythm of drumming slowly melts, bouncing

off supple branches – vanishing all too soon; laced

whimsical drops hang attentively between boughs,

weightless gossamer leftover from autumn's spinning.

 

When night time encloses; elusive black raven's never

afraid, this bird is healed by dreamy darkness that's the

trickster of minds, weaving its own web of obscurity

transcending from legends, as I too this fine oak play

my part in the grand scheme of folklore...where nature

has mutual respect.

 

 

Image by pixabay free to use.

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Spiritual
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Beautiful tribute to our native trees which are themselves like planets when they become mature. This has such a sense of the magic of winter to it. You can most definitely feel the earth's pulse through an oak limb, I have felt it many times myself.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It was so inspiring to get inside the thoughts of an oak tree...of course as I imagined it might think. 

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels the earth's pulse through limbs, it's wonderful to be in tune.

Thank you for your kind comment Jane, and I'm so glad you caught the magic that was intended. 

Take care.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Hello Jenny.

I particularly liked your words:

the grand scheme of folklore...where nature has mutual respect.

Forests, especially oak forests, are magical places but once the thoughts of folklore join us on a walk in a forest the magic becomes much more intense.

I found your poem very enjoyable.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Yes! You are most definitely right about the magic becoming more intense when thinking of folklore. Like you I do love the oak tree, and have a special connection as it's my birth tree being born in July under the star sign of cancer. 

I've always loved nature, but never more so than now, since I'm retired and have time to get inspired by the beauty all around, the forest being such a magical place, as you say. I have to admit to being a tree hugger, even though I get some strange looks by passers by, but it just feels right and keeps me in touch with feelings.

Thank you so much for reading and your kind words, they're appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Some lovely imagery and phrasing, of course. Oak trees and spirits - my kinda poem. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

glad I could get on your wavelength. This poem took quite a few weeks to create, so I'm happy you caught the imagery and phrasing. 

I was in a wooded area the other day, it was a place I'd never been before. The afternoon was so peaceful, and there was a beautiful lake we walked around, it kind of rounded off this poem for me, because the magic was there.

Thank you for taking the time out to read. I always enjoy your writing, so I'm happy this one worked for you.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by celticman on

our trees, as we remember them, until they become a memory. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's always great to hear from you. Some oaks are protected, especially in the forest, so they will out live us as each generation comes along, but some like you say just become a memory in urban places, which is kind of sad.

Thank you for your encouragement and reading, always grateful.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

"Hear soothing pleasure...earth's pulse connecting with days" BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT

"Where nature has mutual respect" I liked this very much, too. It is we with our weapons of mass destruction like chainsaws and weedkiller just as much as guns etc that dismiss without thought the strength and survival skills of beings evolved to be perfect

As always I find a feeling of peace in your wise poetry

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

If I can bring you peace with my words, then I feel this poem works. The earth's pulse beats strong for people like you and me, that is the gift mother nature offers to those that care.

We can all do our little bit to help nature, and you certainly do yours, which is all that matters.

Thank you so much for your welcome thoughts, and glad you found the poem soothing.

Take care.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

so glad you enjoyed and many thanks for those welcome cherries. They put a big smile on my face. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

What a lovely rich combination of words in your descriptions. Beautifully done.

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

it's always a pleasure to know that words connect with the reader. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this poem, and thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Dear Jenny, to quote the opening lines of a song:
"I talk to the trees
But they don't listen to me"
But they obviously hear your call and inspire you to write exceedingly lovely rhymes like these. Well done. Keep up the good work.

Luigi xx 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

AH! What a lovely observation Luigi. I've always believed that through the spirit comes communication, but that's just my own personal belief. I'm almost sure there are people that would snigger if they saw me hugging a tree with my eyes closed. I do try to communicate when nobody's around...well apart from my partner who knows me only too well, wink he just gives me my space and leaves me to it.

Thank you for reading and your kind words. I always hope that nature will continue to inspire.

Take care.

Jenny. xx

 

 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Luigi I always thought it was "the walls"! My dad said it often. And, "no peace for the wicked".

Cheers!

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Beautiful Jenny, so many wonderful lines and images. A tree is a wonderful being, I love the raven and the oak in this. This is our Pick of the Day. Do share on social media if you are able to. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so pleased you enjoyed reading my poem, and it was a pleasure to receive pick of the day.

Thank you so much.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by onemorething on

This is our Poem of the Week! Congratulations! 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I can hardly believe it! surprise Poem of the week again. This is like a dream come true. smiley

Thank you so much.

I'm on top of the world and so grateful. 

From a very happy, smiley Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

The inner soul of an oak - well  developed Jenny. A very enjoyable read and I too 'danced in its forest from dawn til dusk'.

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

your comment was most welcome. I can imagine you've spent many happy days in the forest, being able to connect with the elements of seasons, which I can imagine are really beautiful at any time of the year.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this nature poem, and i'm very grateful to you for stopping by to read and share your thoughts.

Many thanks Richard.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Beautiful poem Jenny! In the Hobbit stories there are ancient trees that are alive, in the sense that they can talk, and walk in their way, in the movies done brilliantly.

See you've got a silver badge in the meanwhile, wonder what it means, very scarce!

It's raining it's pouring, All the best! Tom

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

The imagination that went into the making of the Hobbit is amazing. I think if trees could talk, they would tell us humans how important it is to look after each other. In forests and woods the roots of trees go a long way to protecting each other in their own way, by warning of danger and giving sustenance to young samplings and other near by trees. 

I appreciate you stopping by to read and let me know you enjoyed. 

I'm very grateful to the editors for the silver badge, it just appeared one day.

Hope you're not getting too wet where you are. We're supposed to get heavy winds and rain on Saturday, so it's a case of staying in, which I don't mind at all.

Take care Tom, and thank you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Kris on

I love following your work.... always takes me to another place in heart, soul & vision.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

That's so kind of you to say Kris. If I can take you to another place in heart, soul and vision, then I feel my writing is so worth while.

Thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley