When I was five I planted a tree
We named that tree after me.
It grew tall, it grew free
Limbs as high as I could see.
Then one day my family split
I moved away to a life of shit
No more shade in which to sit
I missed that tree quite a bit.
As years passed I would go
Back to the place I used to know
Fifty miles to and fro
Just to see my tall oak grow
Even though he shares my name
The tree and I are not the same
He can't play life's crazy game
He's never felt the sting of shame.
He has never been cut down
Never worn a sullen frown
Been transplanted from his town
Or taunted like a circus clown
The tree has never been rejected
Felt the need to be protected
A monument that God's erected
By only name are we connected
The years for him have been stress free
That strapping oak named after me
From child's hand to mighty tree
He has fulfilled his destiny
I often wonder if when I die
My old friend will ever know why
He bore the name of an average guy
Whose own branches never touched the sky.
18 comments:
Like little boys and men grown up, even trees reach for the sky. Love the last line as a perfect finish.
lots of feeling in these lines man...pretty cool the tree could reach it for you though you know...smiles....i like your poetry...
Nicely done Mr. O! Very nice. Sweet, but not too sappy. Me likey!
I enjoyed reading every word and easily gathered the feelings you intended.
On the other hand, you've never had woodpeckers.
Sorry. I had to.
Really nice!
How special that little boy that sewed that seed, of that beautiful oak tree. I would say he was no ordinary boy/man!
O seeing as you're a might bit shorter than your namesake tree I would think that when you stretch your limbs upward you in fact have reached the sky.
Life as a tree, so simple, so peaceful!
Nice job, Otin.
There is a lot of underlying meaning in this. I like the words you chose like "transplanted", "cut down", which can be used both in forestry and in humans. Very clever.
This actually hit home with me. I planted a maple tree when I was five. It was in our backyard. It grew very tall. When both my parents died and we sold the house, I gave the tree a big hug and cried so hard. I was 44 years old.
Great poem. Love the story it told.
aw...that is such a sweet poem!
That is freaking awesome!
That was really touching. Anyone who can write like that is not average.
Love it!
I really love your blog posts... specially those on
http://tech-neno.blogspot.com
Great poem!
This is really great. Gives much insight into the life of a child from a broken family.
Wow Otin...that is profound. Good one.
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