Mistletoe

Gold cherry
Poem of the week
Pick of the Month

By onemorething

Thu, 30 Dec 2021
  • 5084 reads
27 comments
 

In the apple, or better, an oak, 

leafless, dark boughed and 

outstretched in many a twisted limb,

where mosslight and lichen glow

under globes of thunder broom - 

these tree thieves sip upon

the destiny of their branches. 

A tangle, a knot, a green galaxy

of berried stars, unhidden,

words unsilent, yet unvoiced,

and if there ever was

a secret, then it is now only

the mistle thrush who knows. 

My mother used to say

that mistletoe was like a baby;

groundless and full of taking, but

for the child, I think, they are pearls

of poison, weeping waxy, glue

for the tiny feet of little wrens - 

such suffering, to be trapped 

in birdlime, here, I hold the promise

of a stem and the grave speaks. 

 

 

Image from here: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:European_mistletoe_-_Viscum_album_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1105331.jpg

Certificate PG
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by marandina on

"I hold the promise of a stem and the grave speaks". Such poetic beauty "where mosslight and lichen glow."

Wonderful, of course :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you, Paul! Very happy you liked it. :)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It is amazing how some of the trees around here survive when you realise in the winter how festooned they are with mistletoe orbs as the tree leaves are lost. The orchards still seem to prodcue apples somehow. Rhiannon

https://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/mistletoe

 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, though not overly harmful unless a tree is badly infested. Festooned is definitely the right word. Love your little piece too. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Of course the misletoe has sadly got a bad reputation, but your poetic words emanate their beauty too. I like the idea that if there ever was a secret of the berries, it's the mistle thrush who only knows, adds a touch of mystery that we as humans shall never understand.

Happy New Year to you Rachel.

Jenny.  

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, a little unfair, and very good for wildlife. I think mistletoe is full of secrets. In fact, from memory, I think one of the chemicals in the berries is being explored in medication for something...think it was for strokes. (I could be wrong). Happy New Year Jenny, I hope your 2022 is full of kindness and magic. :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

It's so nice to see something new from you onemore - and this is very special indeed - thank you!

 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you, insert! :) 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Really lovely words to describe such a parasite.

I particularly liked ...

these tree thieves sip upon

the destiny of their branches

It fascinates me how nature can send something so small to do so much harm to something as large as an oak tree.

I really enjoyed your poem.

Turlough

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you! Though only especially harmful in bad infestation, otherwise, if managed, bring a lot of good in wildlife terms. Thank you for reading it. Happy New Year! :)

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I was always under the impression that mistletoe was very harmful to its host trees, but it seems not. So that's a bit of good news to start a new year. I'll redirect my wrath to the ivy now ... another of nature's gems that needs to be controlled.

Happy New Year to you.

Turlough

Submitted by onemorething on

Only harmful if infested and it causes weakening to the degree that a tree becomes susceptible to other poor conditions like drought. And ivy...well, you know what I'm going to say - not harmful to trees at all and a very important habitat! Buildings, well, that's another matter, but still an important wildlife habitat on buildings nonetheless. (My ex is a tree expert...so some of it rubbed off on me...). 

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

Perfect for the season. 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you! x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

It's also our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day - please share/retweet if you enjoyed it as much as I did

 

Submitted by onemorething on

A lovely way to end the year! Thanks so much! Happy New Year all! xxx

 

Submitted by celticman on

ah, cold and sinsiter, yet wam to the ear. 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I suppose mistletoe is just that. :)

 

Submitted by MJG on

Simply gorgeous, all good art makes you see something in a new, sumptuous light, that's what you've managed beautifully.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks so much, that's very kind! :)

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Completely wonderful, Rachel, and the 'berried stars' conjures such an amazing image. 

Happy New Year! 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you airyfairy, am so glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year to you too. x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Month - congratulations!

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Amazed and very honoured to get Poem of the Month, thanks very, very much! 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

The connection of Mistletoe to the Mistle thrush exemplifies that all of nature has a reason for being, both destructive and life supportive. The sorrow of birdlime used to trap delicate birds shows the heartbreaking use by man of this natural occurring substance. Your poem is beautifully written with lines of wonder and sorrow juxtaposed throughout.

Penny4athought

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks so much Penny and that perfectly sums up what I was trying to evoke, am often trying to evoke...so thank you for that too. :)

 

Submitted by Kris on

Thats all I have to say.....................