Burnham Beeches

Cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 18 Jan 2022
  • 3554 reads
24 comments
 

Eyes shut tight...pausing to imagine

secluded wood; imposing Beech trees

in summer standing tall and proud,

decked and festooned in green,

 

stunning realm of trails fit for a

Victorian Queen, where shafts of

minimal light pass beams between

leaves that flutter like butterfly wings,

 

listen! Hear ghosts emanating from

bygone years, recalling throwing

caution to the wind, feeling wet earth

squelching rootlets; quenching thirst.

 

But in winter like Gothic cathedral pillars,

giants naked, their shivering limbs receptive

to this noble space; easing germination in

smooth flickered contentment,

 

Burnham Beeches flourish; welcoming

wildlife, minding its own regardless of

shifting storms; branches tolerating

brooding sensations,

 

as dark clouds wend from the North,

wrapped like plump ogres; confluence

gruesome – billows puffing out like bad

tempered bigwigs enraged in welter of

turbulence.

 

Yet, resilient inhabitants adept to this

ever changing constant vigilance,

interlacing roots pacify; confident

unafraid withstanding all assaults.

 

Pixabay free image.

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Turlough on

Hello Jenny.

The lines of your poem describe really well the resilience of these fabulous trees.

I particularly liked ...

listen! Hear ghosts emanating from

bygone years, recalling throwing

caution to the wind, 

reminding us that they are often much older than we are. They have seen things in the past that we know little about but there have been times in their youth when they have been less sturdy and less of a dominant feature in the forest.

A very enjoyable read!  

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so glad you enjoyed reading my poem, it was a lot of fun writing it, and thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by donignacio on

I liked this poem too. Minimal light passing through the leaves that flutter like butterfly wings put a strong image in my mind. Really wonderfully written!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's kind of you to read my poem donignacio. The fact you managed to capture an image is great and what I wanted to achieve.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I remember when we lived in Middlesex, my parents enjoying a visit there. My memory seems of autumn with the lovely crisp bronze leaves on the floor (with the 'interlacing roots'. Beech limbs are very graceful in winter aren't they? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It must be such a beautiful placee. Autumn seems a perfect time to visit, your description is wonderful. 

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and reading.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I don't think I've ever been to this place (had to google it) - sounds fascinating! Did a visit spark this lovely poem?

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

no, I've never been, but had fun reading up about the trees and the wildlife there. Burnham Beeches were thought to have been used as firewood at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria, though I have no idea if this is true, just what I read.

It certainly a place I could see in my imagination as I wrote this poem.

Thank you so much for reading and your thoughts. Also those lovely cherries were such a nice surprise. Thank you again. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful place Jenni. I enjoyed shivering limbs and the idea of ghosts (I'm sure there are many) a haven for wildlife. You've captured the spirit of the broadleaved forest in winter and the generosity of our ancient trees.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

what kind words. Knowing I captured the spirit of this place, was more than I could wish for. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading and thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by celticman on

I think you've nailed down this nature stuff, Jenny. You've even added a ghostly Queen Victoria!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Nature is such a wonderful escape, it cheers me up to read and write about every aspect of nature. I was mentioning to insert that Queen Victoria might have burned firewood from Beech trees at Windsor Castle, but I don't know how much of  this is true, because the wood does not burn very well.

I'm glad you liked and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

How do you think up these fabulous images? Clouds being "plump ogres" is WONDERFUL. And I love "realm of trails" too, magic! Off to look up your woods :0)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Nature seems to be a study that speaks to me, it always gives me pleasure to write from the perspective of the natural world and what it might be saying...if nature could talk of course. wink Being able to give voice in a poem as to what I feel is so much fun, and even more so when sharing.

Glad you liked the clouds image too. I hope you enjoy reading about this place. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Burnham Beeches sounds like the kinda place I would love to be. A cacophony of wild images and wonderful phrasing. Of course. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

me too. I would love to visit this place, maybe come the Autumn I'll try and persuade my partner to take me there. I did have a lot of fun writing this poem, glad you enjoyed reading and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by queen beatle on

I loved this whole poem! So tangible and haunting. The idea of dark clouds "like plump ogres" is particularly delightful.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so glad you picked up on,  "the dark clouds like plump ogres." My imagination had this wild vision, from watching storm clouds. Always appreciate the feedback, so thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This really evoked a memory in me, Jenny - I think I must have gone there as a child, even though I can't actually remember the occasion. Poetry does that for us - brings up memories and emotions that are normally lying just below the surface.

Lovely piece of work, some absolutely beautiful imagery.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's always great to know when a poem can evoke a memory, I'm happy it worked for you. Yes you are right about poetry stirring memories and emotions, though I've never actually been, it was an emotional poem to write, I suppose due to me being sensitive to most things.

Thank you for your kind words of wisdom which I appreciate.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

What a lovely poem about Beech trees. You always make nature sound so interesting and attraactive. 

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm glad you got the same pleasure from reading this poem, as I did writing it. Thank you for reading and letting me know, always grateful for your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Hey Jenny, another great poem. Have you ever published any of them? It seems that you have enough to fill up a couple books with. Let me know if you ever do, and it isn't ridiculously expensive. It would be cool to buy it.

GGHades502

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so humbled by your words of praise, but wouldn't have the first clue how to go about it. Also my lack of experience in technology with no obvious help from outside makes it impossible to even consider. When I was younger I would have jumped at the chance, but old age and feeling out of my comfort zone in taking on any new ventures, makes it difficult,  also being a worrier too and suffering with anxiety doesn't help.

You are very kind and given me a certain boost of confidence, that at least I'm doing something right.

Thank you so much Hades for reading and your kindness shown.

Jenny. smiley