INEVITABLE WITHERING

The truth was concealed with many branches.  Countless 
are the days I happily lingered in the comfort of your shade 
before passionate winds revealed each of your limbs as too 
weak to support natural, core growth.  Your delusive roots 
cannot grab substantial hold in earth while fertilized by 
pretense’s charade.  Only hollow echoes resound within your 
skin of splintered bark and your shadows of nothingness grow 
ever longer.

Under a warming sun, I joyously gave my heart in open palm 
to you.  At the time, I ignorantly embraced your breadth and 
sum, for your apparent beauty preceded your tells of long 
developed and craftily hidden inner rot, sure to disease all love 
given in deep, steady, heartbreaking spurts.  I can no longer 
tarry beneath your deceptive branches and chose to depart with 
no thought of ever returning, but I leave behind my tender pity to 
witness your inevitable withering.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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George Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
This is so deep, dear Cay cay... where love and hate meld together. We often fail to see the deception hiding as we are easily lured by the outward charm. Once you realized your folly, you resolve to walk away, leaving your pity on the inevitable withering, sure to fall on him. Many can relate to this. Congratulations on your great placement in the Marathon.
Ashley Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Dear CayCay, your poetry reaches a soulful depth and width few can even hope to achieve. This poem is achingly beautiful with the recognition of an "inevitable withering" and the painful yet liberating resignation of accepting it as so. Such an intimate piece and an exquisite metaphor for love and heartache and what you cannot change. Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. It's an honor to share the podium with you, my sweet poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Toney Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
CayCay, your metaphor of a diseased tree as you transition from ‘giving your heart in open palm,’ to ‘leaving behind your tender pity’ as you depart is brilliant. The end phrase “to witness your inevitable withering” is just deserts. A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 12 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 13 has already started.
VanHooser Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
CayCay, first of all, congratulations!!! This is a wonderfully crafted piece. The dichotomy of trees and people is brilliantly presented, neither too subtle nor too obvious, but unmistakable nevertheless. This will be one of my faves. Again, congratulations! Hugs, Ron
Dietrich Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Congratulations, dear Caycay. You are way ahead of me now. haha. I simply can't guess what to give him any more. By the way, this is one of my favved poems of yours.
Carter Avatar
September 4, 2016 at 8:33 PM
I especially liked "craftily hidden inner rot."
La France Avatar
August 12, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Caycay, congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderfully penned poem~
Arnone Avatar
August 10, 2016 at 11:03 PM
I didn't grok the metaphor at first -- I was thinking strictly trees (ha, ha). Love the line, "natural, core growth." Congrats! :-)
Godwin Avatar
August 11, 2016 at 12:03 AM
It's okay, Tom, because I didn't grok grok at first. Thanks to you and all the best ... CayCay (I can see how one wouldn't grok it, initially, sincerely - Yeah, I can) Just messin'
Dietrich Avatar
August 10, 2016 at 10:54 PM
For me, this was one of your very best, dear Caycay and brilliant with its metaphors, as Connie says below. congrats. you rock!
Scars Avatar
August 10, 2016 at 9:50 PM
CayCay, breathtaking in words...congrats on your placement dear lady :)-luloo
Day Avatar
August 9, 2016 at 10:29 AM
I enjoyed how you spoke to the tree in this verse of love - quite beautiful. Jesse
Inman Avatar
August 8, 2016 at 8:47 PM
Very nicely done CayCay. A strong write with some wonderful phrases.
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 8, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Wow, merciful metaphors CayCay! What an excellent entry! I can't see Constance not appreciating this jewel! 7 ; )
Hamilton Avatar
August 8, 2016 at 9:22 AM
"Craftily hidden inner rot", "fertilized by pretense's charade" you really captured the metaphor and ran with it. Sooo good!! A7 for me! Glad to see this on best new poems list!
Y. Avatar
August 8, 2016 at 8:27 AM
Hi CayCay, This is a good take on the contest theme.It so deep and well written. The metaphors are amazing. I think you nailed it. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. A Big seven:-)Alexis
Onclaud Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 2:37 PM
wow, written with such flow and herartfelt determination, dear cay!.. huggs
Day Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 9:54 AM
Such depth in your words - expecting to see you in the winners circle. Jesse
Trifiatis Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 1:40 AM
Insightful poem, truthful and didactic. A seven dear CayCay!
Dietrich Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 9:19 PM
CAycay Wow. you really did a great job interpreting that line. IT is the only line that spoke to me as well. I just have to come up with something now. but I doubt I can match yours. I think yours is inspired by real life. Love how you did it metaphorically. A FAVE
Vaso Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 10:52 AM
What a beautiful powerful poem! Poetic beauty! :)
Warrior Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Superbly done CayCay...a sad but true love...with exquisite words...a winner for me and BW...god bless...^WW^
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