But a Branch breaks

[GMC]

Time is as nothing
A tree grows
A scar is healed
We see beyond the bark
We are drawn to vibrant leaves
Dancing in the breeze
But a branch breaks...

And a moment is lost
The roots take hold
They tunnel deep and dark
While up above all is calm
The tree grows magnificent high
A forest in the making
A soothing balm for the eyes
But a branch breaks...

And splinters remind us
Momentarily of what was
And the forest breathes
And the trees throw out
Their arms in welcome
And the cry of the beasts
Are stilled beneath the canopy
And the trees wave and the wind does blow
But a branch breaks...

And we are reminded of our mortality
For as the canopy thrives
Life on the ground dies
But shoots appear anew
In life they always do
But a branch breaks...

And we wait a while
And hail the sun
In a leafy glade
And the world is still
As we close our eyes
We have learned to live
From mistakes we grow wise
But a branch breaks . . .

In a heartbeat then we see the truth
barren wastelands surrender the proof
and the world forgets through blinkered eyes
as mother nature turns and cries
and her tears expose the truth to all
we held the world but let it fall

but a branch breaks
oh that it were not so...
a branch breaks

[flux]

The cycle of life. I think you make an interesting contrast here between life in general, life going on and on, life, death, life, death and the cycle of an individual life, that must one day end.

[arthurkelly49]

this is so bitter sweet. everything to be joyful for but then the reminder on each image of the fragility and mortality that surrounds us conveyed in the image of a broken branch.

Exquisite and enjoyed thoroughly.

Yours Sincerely

Arthur

[karrie]

This is truly lovely and a bit sad. Much enjoyed!

[tangerinepie]

Yes GMC..a wonderfully revealing poem about loss.and perhaps most of all our helplessness.Loss of habitats, ongoing clear cutting of mature and ancient trees, the perpetual sprawl of development..really heart breaking.Thanks for this concise and relevant poem..Tangie..

[GMC]

Tangie
From someone so well versed
In the craft your comments are
indeed most welcome
And so also my thanks to all of you for your kindness
Many thanks
GMC

[dwells]

Bookmarked and not sure what to do with it since I've just found the hot spot. This was phenomenal and reminds us (through the repetition we need to make it brand the subconscious all too often) that one small change can effect the course of history. Took a deep breath after reading this one GMC, blessings and simply marvelous artistry - Cheers!

[candlewitch]

hello friend,

I was just reading the comments, after reading this poem...and I think they all found the heart of it! Bravo!

always, Cat

[CarolynKleefeld]

Uniquely inspired, imaginatively expressed, and very powerful, with a masterful use of language.

[lastlifedreamer]

As I finished reading, I felt the chills rush through me. Looking forward even as life pulls and gnaws at us. Growing through broken moments, heartache, stumbles, and mistakes. Shedding the branches like a snakeskin and covering our scars with new life while the remnants so far below the canopy's upward sight lines wither away to dust, sink into the soil, and feed into the soul of the tree itself. A beautiful piece and so brilliantly staggered...holding steady...giving just enough truth without tragedy...until the tragedy is all that is left to give.

LLD

[jsol]

Beautiful meditation on hope vs. hopelessness.. Nice flow of ideas. I particularly like the lines:

And we wait awhile
And hail and sun
In a leafy glade
And the world is still

It was at this point in the poem that I feel you really hit your stride and your great and true creativity is presented.

[songofmeadow]

Hi congratulations on the spotlight. I very much like the natural interweaving between life and nature, reality and metaphor, the refrain serves as the perfectly timed leveller as it breaks and drops to earth, high praise for this mx

[garic]

Beautiful sorrowful mortal

garic

[SirFleshwound]

This is what poetic writing is all about in my humble opinion. Tender, moving and deeply philosophical and constructed in the most subtle tones. The metaphor binds the theme flawlessly with delicate care. This wonderful piece has found its home in the spotlight. Bravo.

[tangerinepie]

It was a pleasure to read this again GMC, and am elated to see you spotlighted..Well done..Tangie..