Mark Peterson Poet Concrete

A Tree On Winter's Night

In 
grace, 
now seen 
a verdant tree,
its trunk and limbs
splayed in the round, 
perfect radial symmetry.
Were nature absent intellect
might such majesty e'er result—
accidental tour de force as eons pass,
acolytes of chaos then, gathered to exult?
Boughs' burden, scalloped snow of purest white. 
Myriad sparkles glint in full moon’s vivid winter light. 
Wind
sways,
a polonaise.
Elysian sight. Halcyon night. 

Click on the "About this poem" link above for some additional thoughts.

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Andrea Dietrich March 4, 2014 at 5:20 PM I came back to see this one again and finally saw your reply to me. Thanks for explaining difference between shape and concrete. I would never have guessed, and it still does not make sense to me. Why would you write in the shape of something but not have the poem be about that topic? How odd . Mark Peterson March 4, 2014 at 6:24 PM Well, I wrote a Shape poem in the shape of a question mark in which I asked a lot of questions, but the poem itself was about failed relationships. So the two worked together. Obviously, the poem wasn't about question marks.

Jerry Bolton February 16, 2014 at 12:29 PM Perfect. Absolutely perfect, Mark. The physical look of the poem along with your almost haunting words have given this Winter's Night Tree life. Mark Peterson February 16, 2014 at 11:50 PM Thanks very much Jerry. Trying different forms adds zest to poetry writing. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

Gerald Kithinji January 23, 2014 at 4:11 PM Fascinating craft this and a lovely poem too. I'm checking out the trees outside my window. None so cool as this pine...? Mark Peterson February 4, 2014 at 2:37 AM Gerald, thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate your comment. Lots of fun doing this one.

Monterey Sirak January 14, 2014 at 7:02 AM Wonderful. Great images in the words and the shape. I applaud you for the work involved in crafting this. Mark Peterson January 14, 2014 at 7:34 PM Monterey, thanks for stopping by to comment. It was difficult enough, but I think I should have made it tougher with a taller more slender tree. Maybe next time.

Cherl Dunn January 10, 2014 at 3:35 PM I love your blending of nature and natural wisdom. Great job here i must admit i'm a hippie tree hugger and love, love, love this alot my fellow souper. I'm glad you liked my little gypies poem i wrote it for our mystic rose on the soup. she is a wonderful person cheri Mark Peterson January 11, 2014 at 10:35 AM Great to have you visit Cherl. Trees remind me daily of my own insignificance and the reassuring presence of things far greater.

David Fisher January 9, 2014 at 9:07 PM I'm glad I found your piece of poeart(can that be a word?) Nicely done and difficult to do. Mark Peterson January 11, 2014 at 10:36 AM Oh yes, we can coin that term. Thanks a lot.

Sara Kendrick January 6, 2014 at 6:25 AM I like the shape form that you have used to house your very creative work that has great flow and rhyme..These shapes are not so easy to do and you have mastered it..I am glad that I chose this one to read today..Sara Mark Peterson January 6, 2014 at 9:12 AM Sara, thanks for stopping by to leave these lovely comments. It certainly makes the effort worthwhile. As far as having mastered the form, check Google Images for other examples of Concrete poetry. Some shapes are truly amazing and difficult to do here due to formatting constraints.

Andrea Dietrich January 5, 2014 at 7:02 PM wow, this is excellent concrete poetry. I used to call it shape. Wonder what the difference between those two forms is? Mark Peterson January 5, 2014 at 7:39 PM Shape just has to be in the form of an object but not written about it while concrete must embody both. Thanks for coming by. I appreciate your kind remarks.

Just That Archaic Poet January 4, 2014 at 5:12 AM lol Mark, as a rule of thumb, I bypass any poem with the word "tree" in it, and only for you would I make the venture. I was not disappointed, as I suspected I wouldn't be. Quite clever, indeed. Excellently crafted and executed; enjoyed this piece immensely :) Mark Peterson January 4, 2014 at 6:35 AM Thanks, Chan. Fun time writing this one although I searched Google Images for concrete poems and came up with some amazing examples--impossible to duplicate here due to formatting constraints.

Sandra Adams January 1, 2014 at 9:29 PM this poem is beautifully crafted, love the tree shape as well as the way your words flow! Clever poem Mark! Hugs Mark Peterson January 1, 2014 at 11:29 PM Thanks so much Sandra. This one has required lots of tweaks but was interesting to work on after so many quatrains. I'm behind, however, on my reading. I'll visit soon. In the meantime Happy NEW YEAR!

Kelly Deschler December 31, 2013 at 7:01 PM I love the way you sculpted this tree with your words. Both in your poem and with it! Wonderful imagery here, as well, Mark! Great work!...I hope that you have a Happy New Year! Mark Peterson January 1, 2014 at 11:34 PM Thanks for this good news, Kelly. I needed to try a new form. I can hardly wait to see your latest. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ilene Bauer December 31, 2013 at 10:33 AM so glad you reposted this - i missed it the first time and am so happy to have read it now. a brilliant formation, with words to match! have a happy new year... Mark Peterson December 31, 2013 at 10:40 AM Ilene, so glad you stopped by to have a look. Trying different forms seems to have stimulated my muse, which had otherwise gone on hiatus. Don't know how long it will last--never do. Best wishes to you and yours for a Happy New Year!