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ONE TREE

The setting sun
backlights a tree
in midst of a bare field
turning every limb and twig
stark black

This old oak
backlit by pink
a tracery of random lines
combined in their complexity
to form a singular
tangle of lace

Laid bare by winter
for all who care to see
those twig tips
reaching skyward
toward remembered light and warmth
for now diminished
yet unforgotten
as this tree dreams on
of spring and rekindled life

And this is just a single tree
unique as any snowflake
What then of an entire forest
what then of us ?

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Last few words: 
Realized I was past due to take another stab at free form
Editing stage: 

Comments

beautiful x

and thanks for such kind comment.............stan

author comment

Wow.
Just one opinion: write more free-form poetry.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Thank you but writing free form makes this old rhymer's fingers cramp and eyes cross lmao................Thanks for dropping by...stan

author comment

as you know, is not really my thing either, but I can see the images so very plainly here. The first stanza is the best, setting the mood and scene for the whole thing. Very nice! ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

I try one once in a while in attempt to stretch lol. Thanks for the visit..............stan

author comment

Wow right enough, this is the best freeform poem I have ever read from you I absolutely love it

I see your one single tree backlit in a beautiful glow and then right at the end the whole forest comes alive .... wow

standing ovation bravo

with admiration JC x

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

Well I'm pleased to receive such praise from such accomplished free verser, Best you've read of mine.......hmmm............so it's the best of 15-20 huh? lol. Alway nice to have you come around the globe for a visit..........stan PS did you get the use of the single tree as a symbol for a single person there at the end?

author comment

It is so good to have someone here that can see the tree that stands alone, backlit where it takes on just a dark silhouette.
How many of us here have seen that tree before you showed us its form.
I think this is a beaut of a write and would receive 5 stars from all that reads,
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

there's a big old tree in the middle of a field nearby that I've seen for years. Then the other day I finally NOTICED how the bare limbs looked and thought about how it took this single tree to make me think how trees (and people) are all different yet the same. Ol' see and say lol...........stan

author comment

I think the power of the poem is in the 2nd and 3rd verses.
the first and last verses seem less important to me
ross

Thank you for your input which is always valued. It seems that the last line is not being interpreted as I had planned as It is the one which I intended to use as cross over from trees to people...........................stan

author comment

a way of fixing that last line. "What then, of the entire forest [ of ] us?" ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Your idea is sound but I want to keep the succession from a single tree to a forest to us as at least 2 steps. I appreciate your idea and expect that it will be used in some way in the edit...............stan

author comment
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