Home » Poems » Andrea Dietrich » In the Realm of the Watchman Trees

In the Realm of the Watchman Trees

"to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature" William Shakespeare, Hamlet, 1601: Along a path of solitude I tread, flanked on either side by watchman trees, a lush green canopy above my head, in foliage the flutter of cerise. . . . I gasp to see two cardinals appear. Then farther on, I spot a white-tailed doe! She calmly meets my gaze and shows no fear. I can’t imagine in this place a foe! The trees, unwounded, stand with dignity. And whether skies be bright or overcast, they guard this realm, and one will shelter me. I kick off shoes and stop for a repast. Now barefoot and relaxed, I write this poem in quietude of Mother Nature’s home. For The Tree contest sponsored by Constance La France ~a Rambling Poet~ For Brian Strand's ANY OF YOUR 2011 poems any theme/any form max 16 lines Poetry Contest

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John Watt

Date: 8/23/2020 11:37:00 PM

I have nothing to add to my earlier comment, just enjoying seconds of dessert. One of my faves of yours, and a FAV!

John Watt

Date: 1/23/2020 7:52:00 PM

Andrea, your love of nature is on full display in this luscious sonnet. The first stanza describes the flora; the second, the fauna; and the third describes your interaction with the forest. The final couplet brings a smile of relaxation. LOVE your words (solitude, flanked, dignity, realm, quietude). An amazing sonnet.

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 11/18/2011 5:09:00 AM

Congratulations on your placement in Brian's "Any 2011 Poem" contest Andrea. Love, Carol

Onyebuchi Okonkwo

Date: 11/16/2011 1:37:00 PM

congrats Andrea...hugs;-

Gwendolen Song

Date: 11/16/2011 1:57:00 AM

Barefoot and relaxed, I am here reading and enjoying this poem..I appreciate the personifying of trees...sometimes I feel as I hike thru Ohio forests that they oft communicate with their maker...dignity is a wonderful word to use. Gwendolen

Bob Quigley

Date: 11/15/2011 10:45:00 PM

A beautiful poem with a peaceful flow. Congratulations on your win in Brian's contest Andrea

Eochaidh O' Conghaile

Date: 4/28/2011 2:16:00 AM

Thank you for writing this amazing poem, inspiring!

Stephen Parker

Date: 4/26/2011 3:39:00 PM

I love the personification of nature. It shows a deep appreciation for the elements in our organic environment.

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 4/26/2011 6:01:00 AM

Congratulations Andrea on your win in Constance's "The Tree" contest. Love, Carol

George Aul

Date: 4/25/2011 11:40:00 AM

Congrats on your (I stopped counting) win...... Thanks for all the great comments.....George

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 4/25/2011 9:41:00 AM

Congrats on another win Andrea. I have had no time to even look at contests lately. I just wish I had more time. Maybe I will have to give up some of my sleeping time. ha ha. Great write. love phyl

Kash Poet

Date: 4/25/2011 7:20:00 AM

It seemed to me when I read 1st time this poem that the contest photo was based on this poem and not the reverse!Excellent.Congrats Andrea on your win---kash

Tahera Mannan

Date: 4/25/2011 4:52:00 AM

Thiis so lovely.A true masterpiece. Many congrats.

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 4/24/2011 3:03:00 PM

Congratulations on the win in the contest of Constance, Andrea

Jack Horne

Date: 4/24/2011 7:40:00 AM

Many congrats and a happy Easter to you : )

Nette Onclaud

Date: 4/24/2011 5:33:00 AM

now i know what a watchman tree looks like, andie.. i go whoot over this beauty! congrats on the high, fine win... yeah..:) huggs

M. Alpestris

Date: 4/24/2011 5:14:00 AM

Congratulations, Andrea! Your idea is interesting, if there are "nurse trees", then, why not "watchmen trees". I think it's cool how your sonnet is perfect for the picture. If not for your note, I would have that you'd written it as inspired by the picture. Thanks for reading all my poems (as many as they are! Hehe). My "arsenal" is not a lot, and they are located in another poetry armory. As for you, where do you find the words? I've been stuck in a writer's block for close to two years now!

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 4/24/2011 4:08:00 AM

I thought I'd commented on this one before, how strange...anyway, it's a delightful piece Andrea and congratulations on another 1st place win!

Sharon Tideswell

Date: 4/24/2011 2:08:00 AM

You created a perfect haven in your sonnet Andrea, congratulations on your first place. I can see why you won with this one. When I saw the title I was expecting something dark...what a pleasant surprise ~ Sharon :)

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 4/23/2011 8:52:00 PM

Congrats Andrea on your first place win in the tree contest .. a great way to celebrate the Easter holiday with a wonderful win luv..

John Freeman

Date: 4/23/2011 6:37:00 PM

Awesome to see you at the top again Andrea, Congratulations on your worthy poem honor in first place.

James Foulk

Date: 4/23/2011 5:54:00 PM

sounds so peaceful, can see it in my mind. this was a beautiful and very creative write. thank you for commenting on Little Flower and for the information, sorry about that, I have not seen my ex-wife in five years, but glad I didn't call her that, she would not have know what i was talking about anyway, but who knows.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 4/23/2011 5:34:00 PM

Not surpised to see your poem at the top, Andrea. Congratulations. Love, Carolyn

Carrie Richards

Date: 4/23/2011 5:32:00 PM

Such a lovely lovely poem, Andrea. I remember this, I think, from your little book of poems! Nice to share this spot with such a wonderful writer as you!!

Constance La France

Date: 4/23/2011 4:39:00 PM

Congratulations Andrea, on 1st place in my contest, I just loved everything about this poem, well done. I will send your certificate to the address I have noted~~