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Like a Poplar Tree

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"To live like a tree in solitude and freedom,
And also like a forest in solidarity,
This yearning is ours."

(Nazim Hikmet, Turkish Poet)

Alone I'm standing; a tall poplar tree With many of my kind alongside me All standing here in solidarity Together as one when we need to be. There are times when we need to be alone To enjoy the deep bliss of solitude For any wrongdoings we must atone Pay your debts to others; peace is assured. Be like that tall tree as you live your life By helping others to nurture and grow And protect all the young from earthly strife From within your heart you can make it so. So stand tall and proud majestically Being part of the forest when needs be. Written on 17th September 2020.

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Sara Kendrick

Date: 9/10/2021 11:06:00 AM

I enjoyed reading this one. I feel the pride of the poplar in its stand. Thanks for all the visits to my page. Sara

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/10/2021 11:34:00 AM

Thank you Sara, I was in Turkey a couple of years ago and saw the above quote on a statue and it was that that inspired me. Tom

Sam Kauffman

Date: 1/5/2021 10:29:00 AM

Congratulations Tom. What a beautiful, inspiring sonnet filled with the wisdom for life illustrated in God's forests! So well done. Thank you for sharing this delightful poem. "Leaf" it to you! Over Fork Over.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/5/2021 3:30:00 PM

Thank you very much Sam, im pleased you liked it, I was in Turkey last year and saw the quote on a statue and it inspired me. Over Fork Over. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 1/5/2021 8:21:00 AM

A "Beautiful" write and picture. So peaceful. Today, have joy/blessings.............

Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/5/2021 3:29:00 PM

Thank you very much Paula, im glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 11/18/2020 3:16:00 AM

Your poplars reminded me of growing up in Tasmania, Tom: .....they grew as windbreaks around the hop fields. Lots of wisdom in your beautifully written sonnet. Beat, SuZ

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/18/2020 3:52:00 AM

Thank you very much Suz, they are beautiful trees without a doubt. Love to see them swaying in the breeze. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 9/28/2020 6:02:00 AM

what a super sonnet Tom, the neighbour's garden had poplars when i was growing up, oh boy the grew so tall! hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/28/2020 6:10:00 AM

Thank you very much Jan, they're quite majestic and I love to see them sway in the breeze. It was the above quote I saw in Marmaris that inspired me. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/21/2020 3:37:00 AM

Love this and likewise let us be oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord. :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/21/2020 4:51:00 AM

Thank you very much Kim, well said, live as he wants us to live. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/20/2020 2:23:00 PM

a splendid sonnet from you, Tom!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/20/2020 9:54:00 PM

Thank you very much Andrea, it was the quote that inspired me. Have a great week. Tom

Silent One

Date: 9/20/2020 10:56:00 AM

Nice sonnet dedicated to a tree... I wonder if you are back from your travels..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/20/2020 11:04:00 AM

Thank you S. O. No, still here until Thursday, its going fast now. Straight back to lockdown, no lockdown here. Hope you're well. Tom

Michael Tor

Date: 9/19/2020 4:58:00 PM

Love this piece Tom. You did a wonderful job with this write...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/19/2020 11:32:00 PM

Thank you very much Michael, im glad you liked it, after seeing that quote felt I had to write something. Enjoy your sunday. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/19/2020 10:17:00 AM

How beautiful, I love trees , they are the lungs of our planet, they look after us, and what does man do cut them down for housing, industry or what ever else he has in mind, We should protect them as they look out for us. Magnificent write Tom, so well penned. Blessings Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/19/2020 11:21:00 AM

Thank you very much Jennifer, I couldn't agree more. I know some reputable companies cut one down and plant two. We need trees, they don't need us and we should look after them. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/18/2020 1:46:00 AM

- A wonderful poem, Tom! - (a fave for eternity) - hugs // Anne-Lise :9

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/18/2020 3:02:00 AM

Thank you very much Anne, im happy you liked it. Saw the quote on a statue in Marmaris and it stuck with me. Hope you're well Tom

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/17/2020 10:59:00 PM

That's a salient sonnet. A very important concept. Many should reflect on it. ~~

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/18/2020 3:03:00 AM

Thank you very much Victor, it was the quote at the top that inspired me. Tom

Janice Canerdy

Date: 9/17/2020 1:50:00 PM

Tom, this is an excellent poem. It conveys a powerful message about unity. Janice

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 9:36:00 PM

Thank you very much Janice, I got inspired by the quote I saw on a statue in Marmaris, Turkey. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 9/17/2020 11:18:00 AM

Hello Tom, this poem is beautiful. I like the last verse the best. Be like a tree and live your life. i like this line. Enjoy your day my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/19/2020 11:26:00 AM

Been here nearly three weeks but go home next thursday. Very warm, blue sky every day.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 9/18/2020 10:59:00 AM

Helo Tom, you are in Turkey! How long will you be there? Do you like it there? When did you go there? Enjoy your stay there Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 9:37:00 PM

Still enjoying the sunshine here in Turkey.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 9/17/2020 2:51:00 PM

Hello Tom, ye all is well, thank you. How are you doing? Enjoy your evening my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 11:22:00 AM

Thank you very much Darlene, im glad that you enjoyed it. Hope alls well. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 9/17/2020 9:41:00 AM

Oh this is a beautiful, significant poem and personification. A FAV for me. Well done Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 9:43:00 AM

Thank you very much Heidi, im happy you liked it. Thanks too for the fav. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 9/17/2020 9:36:00 AM

I am aligned with Word Hobo on a POTD. Both quote and sonnet are out of this world, dear Tom! Glad to see it is in no contest. This is far good for that. POTW would be fine, as well.))))) You're a fine Poet Tom. And an inspiration for many of us! So glad you are at PS!! Panagiota xx. FAV of course. Panagiota xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 9:41:00 AM

Thank you very much Panagiota, you've blown me away lol. Im pleased you liked it, thanks also for the fav. Tom

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/17/2020 9:26:00 AM

A lovely tribute to the trees... I love the forest and nature so.. God bless you dear friend. Happy writing

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2020 9:33:00 AM

Thank you very much Regina, im pleased you liked it. Hope you're well Tom