Flora's Forest Treasure

Was but a shrub, clinging to rocky hill..
when first I strayed in forest aflower.
Er'nt son's return to rose and whippoorwill,
and brook's water glider mossy bower.

Below..,seventeen years cicadas dwelt..
nymphs now grown, sing familiar forest song.
Aligned to moon and stars in homage knelt,
nature's way to right all ruin and wrong.

Seeds are sewn, winds of change how quickly blown, 
tree lay down, bough's dream lost coveted cloud.
Heavens soaring branched crown no longer known,
once gloried sunlight, now in earthly shroud.

When last Spring returns Autumn's bounty owed,
the treasured forests Flora wisely sowed.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Krutsinger Avatar
July 12, 2020 at 1:40 AM
Shades of Shakespheare and a bit of Coleridge; if you ask me. But what do I know? I always thought if you had a Flora you had to also have Fauna. Nicely done.
Dietrich Avatar
July 4, 2020 at 8:35 PM
Hey, there, happy 4th to you as well. My mom is in town and I don't have time to see many poems and leave comments today, so I will hopefully see a new poem of yours soon. Have a great weekend, my friend.
Ligon Avatar
June 14, 2020 at 8:54 PM
Beautiful sonnet. The life cycle of cicadas is fascinating.
Theraven Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 9:18 PM
Juliet, Thanks, the cicadas returned again with an oh so familiar song. -Richard
Dietrich Avatar
June 13, 2020 at 8:06 PM
So lovely! I really love that idea of it being but a shrub on a hill!
Theraven Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 9:17 PM
Hello Andrea, Thanks. Roots go deep for the shrub to hang on. -Richard
Makama Avatar
June 8, 2020 at 9:42 PM
Most profound expressions of your deep thoughts. A great, great piece!
Theraven Avatar
June 14, 2020 at 12:16 AM
Good evening, Thank you for that comment Funom. Profound? hmm..interesting musing my friend. More as thought like a plastic bag caught in the wind. -Richard
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 5, 2020 at 12:42 PM
A wonderful sonnet with a mystery of the cicadas return. Blessings Richard. xxoo
Theraven Avatar
June 14, 2020 at 12:05 AM
Connie, Thank you for dropping by and leaving a reply. The long life of the Cicada a blessing in a wondrous disguise(?) -Richard
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
June 4, 2020 at 11:15 PM
A beautiful sonnet, Richard. I read your reply to Silent below. Understanding the symbolism, gives the poem a greater depth. I'm glad I read the comment. Thank you for sharing...hugs, Rhonda
Theraven Avatar
June 5, 2020 at 11:03 AM
Hello Rhonda, Thank you for taking the time to read and understand. Rare for me to explain a verse. And maybe best left a mystery for the reader to discover. Hope you enjoy the Strawberry moon tonight. -Richard
Laurie Avatar
May 31, 2020 at 7:40 PM
G'day Richard … to observe and take in natures little things that many overlook and write a great sonnet about it is a treasure also. Two things nature rarely has is a straight line or a vacuum - thank you Richard - Lindsay
Theraven Avatar
June 5, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Lindsay, Thank you for the comments. I'm still looking for the straight lines of nature. The lack of vacuum is another interesting observation. Thankfully, Fibonacci and his spiral are well represented. And one of my favorite inspirations. -Richard
Callus Avatar
May 29, 2020 at 2:24 PM
You are close to Nature and know many of her secrets, Richard - the seven periodical cicadas being one of them. Spring comes back to life, thanks to autumn's sacrifices. ~ Regards // paul
Theraven Avatar
June 5, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Paul, Thanks for stopping by. Yes, unraveling the secrets. I used to be scared of cicadas, locusts, and praying mantis'. Isn't that silly? I hope you get to see tonight's Strawberry moon. -Richard
Buehler Avatar
May 26, 2020 at 11:16 PM
Such a beautiful sonnet. Very much enjoyed and a fave for me.
Theraven Avatar
June 5, 2020 at 10:18 AM
Hello Evelyn, Thank you for the comment. I just read your poem 'In Fragrant Mists'. Like to visit those halls one day. -Richard
One Avatar
May 26, 2020 at 5:47 AM
thank you for the lesson Richard..
Hawkins Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 6:21 PM
Thank you for this magical poem it was a joy to read ...
Theraven Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 9:34 PM
Very welcome Shirley, Thank you for that joyful comment. They're due to return next year in the East, the Cicadas. -Richard
One Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 5:09 PM
There is a deeper meaning to this one... Profound poetry...
Theraven Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 9:31 PM
Silent One, Perhaps, a little symbolism? Flora; Roman goddess of flowers, fertility, and springtime. 'Cicadas, once human allowed the first Muses to enchant them into singing and dancing for so long they stopped eating and sleeping and died without noticing. The Muses rewarded them with the gift of never needing food or sleep, but to sing from birth to death.' Socrates - Myth of the Cicadas
Sands Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 10:35 AM
I love this beautiful poem. Well written Richard! I hope all is well :)
Theraven Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Happy Monday Heidi. Thanks for stopping by. Can you see the the crowns of the forest? You can looking down from the mountains. -Richard
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