Jeff Kyser Poet Rhyme

Old Man Forest

Old Man Forest, way past prime, 
ravaged by the test of time. 
Savaged by rot and decay;
scarce thought it would end this way.
Strong, he stood for years and years;
now, enough to bring to tears.
Rotting from the inside out, 
how much longer, much in doubt,
till he falls to forest floor,
stands in beauty nevermore.
Acorn to a mighty oak,
there to bask in sun and soak,
high above the canopy,
sheltering beautifully.
Insidious parasites,
death by multitudes of bites,
chew his marrow, strip his strength,
termites run from length to length.
Creatures found in him a home.
Soon, he's resting in the gloam.
Rising up from the decay,
the next giant grows one day.

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a little different, in that all lines are 7 syllables

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Gershon Wolf March 31, 2022 at 5:57 PM I find this to be an amazing write, Jeff. And not just because forests are dear to my heart. Pure poesy! Bravo! :) Gershon Jeff Kyser March 31, 2022 at 6:28 PM Thank you, it must have been an amazing tree once, we discovered on our property. Even now, the trunk is huge, but the top is missing, etc.

L Milton Hankins March 31, 2022 at 10:15 AM Beautifully crafted, my friend. I enjoyed it, as it reminded me how much I miss some of the larger trees I grew up around. Also, I'm an avowed tree-hugger. It hurts me to see a large tree cut down in its prime, but I do not like to see them perish from diseases, insects, and parasites. Jeff Kyser March 31, 2022 at 6:30 PM I am not sure if I hugged it I’d get much more than half way around. Big tree. I know what you mean. I wonder if it got hit by lightning years ago and lost the top, which then left it susceptible to disease