Tom Cunningham Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

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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) 

Like a Poplar Tree

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 September 10, 2021 at 11:06 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 September 10, 2021 at 11:34 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 January 5, 2021 at 10:29 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 January 5, 2021 at 3:30 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 January 5, 2021 at 8:21 AM A "Beautiful" write and picture. So peaceful. Today, have joy/blessings............. Tom Cunningham January 5, 2021 at 3:29 PM Thank you very much Paula, im glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Suzanne Delaney November 18, 2020 at 3:16 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 November 18, 2020 at 3:52 AM Thank you very much Suz, they are beautiful trees without a doubt. Love to see them swaying in the breeze. Tom

Jan Allison September 28, 2020 at 6:02 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 September 28, 2020 at 6:10 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 September 21, 2020 at 3:37 AM Love this and likewise let us be oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord. :) Tom Cunningham September 21, 2020 at 4:51 AM Thank you very much Kim, well said, live as he wants us to live. Tom

Andrea Dietrich September 20, 2020 at 2:23 PM a splendid sonnet from you, Tom!! Tom Cunningham September 20, 2020 at 9:54 PM Thank you very much Andrea, it was the quote that inspired me. Have a great week. Tom

Silent One September 20, 2020 at 10:56 AM Nice sonnet dedicated to a tree... I wonder if you are back from your travels.. Tom Cunningham September 20, 2020 at 11:04 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 September 19, 2020 at 4:58 PM Love this piece Tom. You did a wonderful job with this write... Tom Cunningham September 19, 2020 at 11:32 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 September 19, 2020 at 10:17 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 September 19, 2020 at 11:21 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 September 18, 2020 at 1:46 AM - A wonderful poem, Tom! - (a fave for eternity) - hugs // Anne-Lise :9 Tom Cunningham September 18, 2020 at 3:02 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 September 17, 2020 at 10:59 PM That's a salient sonnet. A very important concept. Many should reflect on it. ~~ Tom Cunningham September 18, 2020 at 3:03 AM Thank you very much Victor, it was the quote at the top that inspired me. Tom

Janice Canerdy September 17, 2020 at 1:50 PM Tom, this is an excellent poem. It conveys a powerful message about unity. Janice Tom Cunningham September 17, 2020 at 9:36 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 September 17, 2020 at 11:18 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 September 19, 2020 at 11:26 AM Been here nearly three weeks but go home next thursday. Very warm, blue sky every day. Darlene De Beaulieu September 18, 2020 at 10:59 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 September 17, 2020 at 9:37 PM Still enjoying the sunshine here in Turkey. Darlene De Beaulieu September 17, 2020 at 2:51 PM Hello Tom, ye all is well, thank you. How are you doing? Enjoy your evening my friend. Tom Cunningham September 17, 2020 at 11:22 AM Thank you very much Darlene, im glad that you enjoyed it. Hope alls well. Tom

Heidi Sands September 17, 2020 at 9:41 AM Oh this is a beautiful, significant poem and personification. A FAV for me. Well done Tom :) Tom Cunningham September 17, 2020 at 9:43 AM Thank you very much Heidi, im happy you liked it. Thanks too for the fav. Tom

Panagiota Romios September 17, 2020 at 9:36 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 September 17, 2020 at 9:41 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 September 17, 2020 at 9:26 AM A lovely tribute to the trees... I love the forest and nature so.. God bless you dear friend. Happy writing Tom Cunningham September 17, 2020 at 9:33 AM Thank you very much Regina, im pleased you liked it. Hope you're well Tom