Big Belly Oak

By skinner_jennifer

Sat, 06 Feb 2021
  • 2596 reads
12 comments
 

Driving passed the Big Belly Oak

on the edge of Savernake forest,

between Marlborough and Hungerford,

I couldn't help being inspired to write

another poem in honour of this tree.

 

 

 

Knowing not with eyes

But sensing atmosphere,

As sun rays upon boughs

Snuggle into furrows,

 

While sweet breath

Of cool breezes

Set in motion

Tickling diversion,

 

Rousing autumn's

Quivering leaves,

Reverberating

Down static trunk,

 

Ruggedly dressed in

Ancient bark,

Big Belly Oak

At ease in aging body.

 

Once youthful...

Ardent and content,

Comprehending

Power of environment,

 

Remembering time worn

Consumed long ago days,

When from shell

A seed was born,

 

And from the earth

Upwards did climb

To meet lunula that

Nail tip moon,

 

Determined stance

That echoes of past,

Yet giving way to

Present sounds,

 

As along roads

Swift zoom,

Whoosh across

Countryside,

 

These travelers

Licking up miles,

This Oak carefree,

Unconcerned;

 

I think this tree

With faith,

Must enjoy our

Traveling pace.

 

Pixabay free image.

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Spiritual
Biography
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I liked the furrows and the tickling breeze! Also the placid unmoving oak bemused at the rush of our car journeys whooshing past. I can't see the tree has faith, but it's like a metaphor for that that the many content with a quieter useful life may have as they view those caught up in the madly rushing race of ambition for passing riches! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks Rhiannon, The Oak has stood for over a thousand years, and is steeped in so much history, its acceptance for the twenty first century amazes me always. I wonder if it smiles at our vehicles as they zoom passed, knowing that nature will out live us all.

Glad you enjoyed this poem and thanks again for taking the time to read and comment.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Lovely poem Jenny but then any ode to nature is beautiful to me, and trees are the masters of that world. I can see that barrel oak just as you describe it, watching as it weathers kindly, Remembering its days of growth, upward and outward until it is the mighty shelter that you see. Thanks for sharing this – I am in a particularly melancholy mood regarding trees as I am about to lose the ones I love, just beyond my back yard gate.

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny,

that's so sad that you will be loosing trees, It's always sad to watch. Thankfully the Big Belly Oak is a protected tree and will probably out live us all. That's the wonder of nature, and a reason I'm glad we have forests that are owned by people that care and look after all species of nature.

I'm so glad you enjoyed reading and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

I just love trees. The ultimate stoics.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

I agree, long live trees, may they continue to prosper.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Excellent. Great story. I've heard from tourists there is a major road passing close to Stone Henge. Probably true and for photos of course you choose the best angle.

&& See you!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's lovely to hear from you Nolan. I traveled many times along the road passed Stone Henge, but sadly not recently. 

The Big Belly Oak  I think is the oldest tree in the forest, there are many legends of folk lore that have been passed down through the ages,  but I like to think that the tree has a special bond with humans as it's view is of the road with the forest behind...best of both worlds I suppose. It's very well looked after and hopefully will go on for many years to come.

The Oak is most definitely a tree I have a connection with, which is why I decided to write another poem about it.

Thank you for your comment and I'm glad you enjoyed reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Hey Jenny, I really liked the personification in this one. I sometimes try to do animals, but as of yet, never a plant. I thought it was very clever to imagine what it is like for the tree.

GGHades502

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much Hades,

honestly don't know where the inspiration comes from, I just go with my feelings of this tree's spirit. The Oak tree is part of my birth sign as well as the moon, so when we moved into our house, we decided to call it Oakly Villa. Just a little detail I thought I'd share.

Again thank you for stopping by to read and let me know you liked.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

What a lovely poem. You did the oak proud. And a lovely picture to go with it.

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you Jean.

Where would we be without our woods and forests! I always wonder at nature and how robust it is. 

Again thank you for reading and glad you liked.

Jenny.