Shiny treasure

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 29 Sep 2022
  • 945 reads
11 comments
 

Spikey case around soft mattress
cushioning the conker’s fall
shining polished horse-chestnut ball
copper gloss that brightens up child’s gaze of wonder:
hoard and treasure,
but
soon grows dull, and maybe sprouts
cold of winter triggers growing
in warmth of spring:
food feeds little seedling    
root pokes out and elongates,
reaching downward
curling stem emerges,
poking upward
– long to live to grow a mighty tree?
eventually,
or soon to perish
trampled withered and decayed
new plants to nourish.

also https://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/conkers

 

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I like the many descriptions in this nature poem Rhiannon, from the:

spikey case around soft mattress

cushioning the conker's fall

shining polished horse-chestnut ball

copper gloss that brightens up a child's gaze of wonder:

hoard and treasure,

and then:

curling stem emerges, poking upward 

- long to live to grow a mighty tree? eventually,

But as you know my love of nature at this time of the year is so strong, and this was a special poem, very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Glad it sriked a chord with you. I think you have quoted most of it! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"Spikey case around soft mattress..." You have captured the life and times of a horse-chestnut with poetic panache. I have seen squirrels disappearing with whole ones in their mouth recently. It's quite a sight! Hoping most end up becoming trees but, if not, like you say, become food for other plants. Enjoyed, of course. Paul 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you Paul, for such an appreciative comment. There is a superabundance, so no need for all to become trees, I guess! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the cherries! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

The circularity of nature - when everything is so uncertain, it's nice to have something that will (hopefully) always be the same. Nothing more beautiful than a shiny conker - thank you for this lovely poem Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. Appreciated. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by hilary west on

hi Rhiannon,

I don't think many conkers become trees. I remember hoardes of boys throwing up sticks to try and make them fall much to the consternation of neighbours. Nice poem : rich !

hilary   yes

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Hilary. I went searching up our hill over the road, and the first horse chestnut tree seemed only to have leaves beneath (conkers buried under them or collected?!), but the second had quite a few, and I still get excited when I see some cracked open, but not robbed yet, and the shiny polished conker showing! There was also a hoard on the base of the trunk, which must have got forgotten. And then on my way home I met two teenage girls who were out hunting for 'rough' things and 'smooth' things to show/discuss at the nursery where they worked, and were glad to know where conkers may be found!

I suppose most new horse chestnut trees are probably deliberatly grown by people until they are strong enough to plant out in a selected place. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi

I live across from two big horsechestnut trees, so there are always loads of conkers and their accompanying bits around. The actual conkers are taken up very quickly. I read they sell for quite big amounts on the internet. I think they are very pretty, and the tree itself is my view so tells the sesons and weather for me.  Your poem is very lovely.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, yes, the flower candles in spring are lovely arent they. White speckeld with red. Rhiannon