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My Beautiful Friend

I can still see the aura of my favorite tree Standing there tall, green, healthy, and strong, In the bloom of its summer glory, Before the scourge of disease ravaged It to the core of its beautiful trunk. From my second balcony I could peer Down to the top of its branches and see Happy birds nesting undisturbed, Not unaware of my presence, yet unafraid, Singing and winging to my delight. As the unknown pest slowly killed my Beautiful friend I witnessed the skeletal shell It had become, standing there, still, naked And stark, pleading for the mercy of being Returned to the earth of its motherly birth. My heart broke the day we had to chop it down, Knowing there was no way it could ever be revived. Now there is an emptiness in its space... And that emptiness is felt too, in my heart. Now, every time I look out where that beautiful Tree used to be, I want to cry. © Connie Marcum Wong

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/29/2017 12:28:00 AM

Came back here to say hi. The title made me think of our beautiful Caycay and wishing she would finally write me to say all is ok! Happy Memorial Day, Connie

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 5/29/2017 3:22:00 PM

I haven't heard from her either, so guess her computer is still not working. Let me know if you hear from her, I will do the same. : )

Amy Sullivan

Date: 4/17/2017 8:38:00 AM

The imagery allowed me to feel your heartfelt emotion. Powerful!

Vera Duggan

Date: 3/28/2017 1:05:00 AM

Hi Connie, yes like Debbie I also like the beauty of this poem, it is quite amazing what an impact trees do have on us, ours are always getting ravaged by bushfires but believe it or not they don't die, the regrowth is really amazing, so lovely to see, love this beautiful poem Connie......Take care......Vera

Debbie Duncan

Date: 3/23/2017 12:43:00 AM

Oh, I like the beauty of this picture :)

Emile Pinet

Date: 3/14/2017 2:41:00 PM

The passion and heart felt emotions capture your heart with their strength of love and truth and devastate the soul with their sadness. Your descriptive wording and the great imagery brought it all to heart. The words are tender and the hurt is real...leaving a feeling of calm acceptance. Wonderful work, Emile. #7

Eileen Manassian

Date: 3/14/2017 2:34:00 AM

Oh sweetie...I know the feeling. Trees are beautiful majestic beings. My heart feels for you..Hugs

Vladislav Raven

Date: 3/7/2017 8:59:00 PM

Hi Connie, i do love the true emotions in this excellent write. It is strange how so many of us have this affinity with trees. Each one is special in itself and we can be so touched when they are no more. They can hold such warm memories for us. Your poem moves me deeply. Well written and real. This has to be a seven and a fave. Hugs....Mike. XX

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/7/2017 9:39:00 PM

I am so glad you are back Mike. It is always so nice to hear from you. Thank you very much for your sweet comment and especially the fave! Blessings, Connie ; )

Caycay Jennings

Date: 3/3/2017 8:03:00 PM

Connie, Tim loves trees as we do so I read this to him and we are still, moments later, feeling this poem. This one seems personal and I can't even articulate all the ways this write touched/moved me. You mourn the tree. How long have poets attempted to capture the emotions and relationship humans have with trees? It is soooo difficult, but you got a heart-deep slice of the feel poetically captured in this. A Wow ... CayCay

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/7/2017 9:45:00 PM

Thank you very much CayCay. Your comments are always so insightful and thoughtful. I can't tell you how much I appreciate them. I just got my eye shot so will stay off here until tomorrow. I hope you are well. Blessings, Connie ; )

Daver Austin

Date: 2/28/2017 9:32:00 AM

This so relates to my feelings about trees. I'm a real Georgia O'Keeffe fan. Love, daver

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/28/2017 3:52:00 PM

I also admire her style especially in her flowers. I loved your new sketches. Thank you Daver. ; )

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/26/2017 8:43:00 AM

A sad elegant piece Connie.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/23/2017 6:39:00 PM

Seeing your reply you made me here. Sad to know my tree will never regrow the part of it that came off in that bad wind storm several years ago. I hope you are having a nice week! Luv, Andrea

Darren White

Date: 2/19/2017 2:49:00 AM

Owww that hurts. In our garden here we have a superb oak. But neighbours want it gone... But how can anyone want a magnificent living creature gone? It's beyond me. Wonderful poem Connie. 7.

Keith O.J. Hunt

Date: 2/18/2017 8:42:00 AM

Love the sentience and meaning Connie; life is precious and the sadness of something which once lived beautiful and full of vibrance is no more, and the birds you mentioned which was once their home cannot nest there again, but you have immortalized them by speaking so eloquently here. Bravo! Have to fave this of course!

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/22/2017 4:27:00 AM

You are so sweet to fave this Keith. I am ill right now...but will visit to read your latest poem. Thank you very much my friend. ; )

Lynn Marie

Date: 2/17/2017 12:18:00 AM

The memories we have towards a favourite tree are truly touching and you have beautifully captured a love and appreciation and depth of loss when destroyed. Nature is so inspiring, a cherished friend, always there and I feel your sorrow. This is a lovely tribute Connie :-) blessings, lynn

Laura Leiser

Date: 2/16/2017 6:37:00 PM

It's sad to see a beloved tree get sick and die...your tribute to your tree is so lovely, Connie! Hugs from Laura :)

Joseph May

Date: 2/13/2017 9:53:00 PM

So sad that your tree had to be cut down Connie...your words have captured its memory... hugs

Jean Murray

Date: 2/13/2017 12:57:00 PM

Such a shame Connie. But such a lovey way to remember.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 2/10/2017 8:31:00 PM

Btw, this poem reminds me of the sad, classic song, "Honey" by Bobbie Goldboros. The sad tale of two young lover who planted a tree, but over time, the wife died, and the tree always reminds him of her. Love and joy to you.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 2/10/2017 8:22:00 PM

Beautiful poem, Connie. The emotions of being connected to nature is very real. I love trees ... birds as well. We're all connected and your poem sheds light on this eternal truth. Great poetry. Love and hugs, dear.

Phillip Garcia

Date: 2/10/2017 7:25:00 PM

I don't sigh very often but when I do it's because of beautiful poetry such as this. It's message extends far beyond the branches of a tree and struck more than a few chords with me. Gorgeously sad poem, Connie, well done.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 2/9/2017 6:39:00 AM

I know just how it feels . When I come upon an empty space where a tree once stood I feel that emptiness. It was happening a lot in our Kahala neighborhood. People move in and take out trees not realizing all the years it takes to re- grow one. So happy to see you. Continue to feel better. Love, SuZ Thanks for visiting my Autumn Lady.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 2/8/2017 11:57:00 PM

Oh, this one touched my heart, Connie:) a 7:) thanks for visiting so many of my poems, feel much encouraged:) sorry to hear of your illness, glad to know you're better now:) will be praying for you:)

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/9/2017 4:44:00 AM

Thank you very much Jo. ; )

Arthur Vaso

Date: 2/8/2017 9:02:00 PM

Loved this Connie, I can relate to this, as sometimes when I visit places from my childhood, I so wish things were as they used to be! So well written!

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/9/2017 4:43:00 AM

Thank you Arthur. We planted a tree when my oldest daughter was born. She always enjoyed visiting to see how large her palm had become. The last time we visited the place which was occupied by new owners the tree was no longer there. They had removed it. My daughter felt badly about it. She felt a connection to it because she knew it was exactly her age. Such is life! Thank you much. ; )

Charlie Smith

Date: 2/8/2017 7:47:00 PM

Well done Connie....

Judy Ball

Date: 2/8/2017 5:45:00 PM

Connie I know exactly how you feel. We used to have a huge Choke Cherry tree in our back yard with lovely purple leaves that used to draw all kinds of birds to feed from it. My husband read that ashes were good for trees and poured a bunch around it killing it. I have never forgotten it and was so upset. Great job here. A 7 from me. God Bless and thanks for the kind words on my "Scatter My Ashes In The Wind". JB

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/9/2017 4:45:00 AM

Thank you very much Judy. I can't help feeling sentimental about trees I love. ; )