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In Memoriam - Do Trees Go To Heaven

DO TREES GO TO HEAVEN? The other trees look over him as he lies there motionless, without life. The wind has caused his death and they shelter him with what little they have. No, it was not man that did this dreadful thing. It was the wind- for a purpose. As he lies there day in and day out, never changing, only rotting-still himself inside he knows he is never living to see another season; never evolving to welcome the new leaves that come to occupy his branches. His death was sudden, surely. Painless? Perhaps-but it was definite. No longer will he nurture the new sprouts of life or feel the brisk air on his newborn twigs. His branches sprawled, his gnarled twigs cracked and scattered, he now lies gazing up into the open sky ...or perhaps looking down from the heavens to the lower of his kind

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Keith Osborne

Date: 4/21/2017 9:22:00 PM

Very interesting concept one does not generally think upon. Love the triumphant ending. (and I said I loathe freeverse?) Brilliant Gayle.

Gayle Rodd
Date: 4/26/2017 5:37:00 AM

Well thank you!!

Keith Osborne
Date: 4/23/2017 8:01:00 AM

Neither do I Gayle. And what I pass as free verse is ....well marginally good. You, on hand number two, I believe, have a talent that transcends any form.

Gayle Rodd
Date: 4/22/2017 9:34:00 AM

Lol! I don't do very many of these. Out of all my poetry I only have about 3 considered to be "free verse"

Chris Green

Date: 4/21/2017 11:07:00 AM

Gayle, this was fantastic and what a creative way to look at it. It is obvious when you see something, you take it all in, the common and the abstract and that is so cool. I have, due to a recent drought, watched and heard several trees fall on my property and it always breaks my heart to lose one. I really liked this. I actually wrote a poem about a tree that was killed, not so much like yours but not so different either in theme. Also loved the other trees protecting their fallen friend.

Gayle Rodd
Date: 4/22/2017 9:36:00 AM

Found it. Read it. LOVED it!

Chris Green
Date: 4/21/2017 12:36:00 PM

Yes it is...the title is, "Said the shadow to the tree" I think. :) But it's probably way down the list. If you do find it I'd love to know what you think.

Gayle Rodd
Date: 4/21/2017 11:45:00 AM

I wasn't sure if anyone would even 'see' this as I did. It looks like you captured it! This is what I always think of when I see a bunch of trees crowded around a dead on lying in the midst of them. Is your poem on your list?