Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

sea of trees

~ for Aokigahara - souls wandering ~

jade canopy
waving while it whispers
the lush secret, compelled
delicious word of myriad words
casting shadowed merriment at a
woven briar carpet …

       ( colored strings, winding ... waiting )

tangled labyrinth,
so deep and dark that dew still
clings at mid-day
leafy tresses tickling azure
sopping sun like thirst -
bright and warm above
straight trunks like
steady soldiers …

fingery tendrils
burrow deep to find purchase
ruddy earth, cool as rime
rich with rooty rot -
nature's marrow
to breathe the branches

       ( Fuji's frilly garden skirt )

listen, tender ...
soft now, the hush of mys'tries
this forest bides all, yet
stars still glisten its black heart
desire, a mossy coat ...
dour ... waiting

hear the voice, low,
the breath of breaths, murmuring -
it begs, come ...
in a thousand gentle lullabies
with the language of the
ages and the ends …

       ( voice sweet as death )

it calls to
the misty meandering
one dire dalliance
grandest adventure of all -
the dazzling dream that never …
wakes.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Ashley November 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM Dear Greg, beauty and grief entangle in lush imagery that is splendidly and mournfully alluring and reverent. Congratulations for your success in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mark Toney October 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM Greg, your title, “sea of trees,” refers to the Aokigahara Forest on the slope of Mt Fuji. The dedication/epigraph, “~ for Aokigahara - souls wandering ~” subtly acknowledges the Forest’s tragic reputation as a place of suicide, and sets the tone for your poem’s humility and respect. Congratulations on your second place win on Mile 24 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 25 has already started. Only 2 more miles to go before the Qualifiers’ Final Placement contest!