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A Tree Lies Silent In the Woods

Remote within the piney wood
so far away from nearest ear,
and out of reach for one to hear
a tree lies still where it once stood.
As it came down there was no sound
cuz none to hear would e’er be wise,
and know of this tall pine’s demise
as it came tumbling to the ground.

You say my words are shining bright
through poetry my thoughts consign;
to give up writing wouldn’t be right,
and hide these thoughts, to share, decline.
But like the pine tree’s silent plight,
the words unheard will never shine.


August 2, 2020

   Does the tree falling in a forest make a sound 
            if no one is around to hear it?
Do the words of a poet shine if his poetry is not read?

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Sara Kendrick Date: 9/23/2020 6:33:00 AM Well, the tree makes a sound whether it is heard or not. If a poet's work is never, ever read then what was written has not had a chance to take root in another's soul. Sara Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 9/24/2020 2:26:00 AM Thank you for your thoughts and comments, Sara, I appreciate it. Looks like I really got you thinking on this one. The point I was trying to make was that like a tree falling in the woods that one one hears, if no one reads our poetry, why do we bother to write. John Sara Kendrick Date: 9/23/2020 6:36:00 AM If the tree were being cut to make paper or diapers, it would be heard by those cutting it down that is if they could hear over the dim of those giant machines doing the work. If it fell out where no one could hear, it then it would probably be hear by birds, squirrels, deer, coyotes, and other animals of the woods. Sara

Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/6/2020 6:21:00 AM Oh, this was well said! We hear you...a piney tree at that! Scent-sational! Fave for me! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/6/2020 8:10:00 AM Thank you so much, Kim, I think we all want to be heard, that's why we write. Thanks for saving this as a favorite. Hugs, John

Jenna Logan Date: 8/4/2020 4:26:00 AM Sadness from death is bad enough, but for a death, even the one of a tree, to be unnoticed is a bit desolate. You've captured that stark desolation, John. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/4/2020 5:05:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jenna. Like the tree that goes unnoticed, it is sad when a poem goes unread. I appreciate you. Hugs, John

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/3/2020 7:25:00 PM I looked at this a little differently from others --- and isn't that the mark of a fine poem? That there will be different interpretations? --- At any rate, I felt that the plight of the tree was twofold: 1. It fell without anyone noticing. 2. It'll be reduced to paper on which poems are written, and perhaps 'never return to its roots,' so to speak... And if not, if poems aren't written, then their message(s) will never shine either, i.e., they'll suffer the same fate as the tree. :) gw Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/4/2020 1:55:00 AM A great perspective on the poem, Gershon, I never thought of it this way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Cheers, John

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 8/3/2020 8:26:00 AM Excellent write my friend John - a great shame no one heard the pine tree's plight but as we have the gift of talking speaking and writing, we must express ourselves clearly by talking or writing. Love this write, a fave! Blessings and hugs, Jennifer Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/4/2020 1:46:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Jenn, I appreciate it, and thanks for the fave. Hugs, John

Brandy Nicole Date: 8/2/2020 4:50:00 PM "You say my words are shining bright" Yes, they do. Such a wonderful place to be, lingering in the calm of day- just sitting under a tree. Being one with nature. Your thoughts take me there. :) Brandy Login to Reply Brandy Nicole Date: 8/2/2020 5:32:00 PM You are very welcome. May your words take you somewhere magical. I do know that not every moment and mood will be a happy one. It is in those times that I am reminded to hold the tender moments even closer. John Gondolf Date: 8/2/2020 5:26:00 PM Thank you, Brandy, I’m glad my words take you to a wonderful place, lingering in the calm of the day. You’re the best. Hugs, John

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/2/2020 2:37:00 PM I like how you played around with italian sonnet and reduced number of syllables per line yet kept the rhyme scheme. The message in this one is like a woods, deep and beautiful. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/2/2020 5:16:00 PM Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Andrea. Call it poetic license, I find that writing in iambic tetrameter is a much more natural meter for me than iambic pentameter. I’m glad you enjoyed my sonnet. John

Vijay Pandit Date: 8/2/2020 12:29:00 PM Lovely tone and flow to your sonnet, John--indeed the words not heard will never shine. Well done! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/2/2020 4:55:00 PM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Vijay, I’m glad you enjoyed it. John

Aditi Mishra Date: 8/2/2020 11:43:00 AM The words not heard are probably seeping in your heart to create a rushing wave of emotions that'd sprinkle brilliant muse like this one John :) Beautifully penned! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 8/2/2020 4:51:00 PM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Aditi. I suppose you you could categorize this as venting, I have noticed that my views seem to be steadily decreasing. I appreciate your visit. John