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Notes About The Poem

Strange Redemption

I stood as though reborn on mounded dirt,
which seemed so moist it strangely could assuage
the ache from bowels that howled from so much hurt.
Would ground then be my cure or a mirage?
Enticed, I deeply pressed each foot through soil
till they took root and fixed me to a spot.
My ever-thickening trunk served well to foil
the plots of those who’d cut me. . . . they could not!
My limbs, though mighty branches, could not bend;
stubbornly I fought my transplantation.
I weathered storms that God or man might send,
sightless, living long in desolation.
Self preservation did this much for me-
old loved ones passed and I remained a tree.

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John Watt

Date: 4/19/2020 2:14:00 AM

This is a real gem, Andrea. Again your creative mind with personification is dazzling. Your form is always spot-on, but getting so much imagination into 14 lines is amazing. A great entry for the sonnet contest!

Robert Lindley

Date: 9/19/2015 11:17:00 AM

I was lucky to find this gem this fine morn my friend! I see that we both love trees, sonnets and lyrics/rhymes. Very creative and you seem to be speaking from inside the bark! Closing verses solid gold too.. A7

Heather Ober

Date: 9/5/2015 10:47:00 PM

As always, I loved reading this gem, with its rich descriptions and deep emotion. That last line was perfect. I see you won a contest with this one - Congrats! :)

Skat A

Date: 9/4/2015 6:08:00 PM

Andrea, Congratulations on your "Trees Personified" win.... SKAT

Olusegun Arowolo

Date: 9/2/2015 5:06:00 PM

lovely and wonderful piece,Andrea...Congrats on your well deserved win in this contest..

Edward Ebbs

Date: 8/31/2015 2:46:00 PM

Awha...it must have been the picture. Congrats on your win!

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 8/30/2015 11:46:00 PM

And back again with huge congrats on ur wonderful win n another read dear Andrea!

Eve Roper

Date: 8/30/2015 8:38:00 PM

Wonderful description and flowing poem. Congratulations on your win Hugs Eve

Carrie Richards

Date: 8/30/2015 7:46:00 PM

So many of us wrote about the oak, and how can we not? They almost seem to have a soul and seem to live with dignity! Congrats on your win, Andrea!

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 8/30/2015 6:21:00 PM

that's a lovely picture to go with the poem, andrea, but of course they're not visible on the contest page...good, solid write here from you, to match the steadfast oak tree - congrats on your win in my contest! :)

Jan Allison

Date: 8/30/2015 4:56:00 PM

Dropping back with my congratulations Andrea - we both made the list woohooo:-) Hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/30/2015 4:49:00 PM

Andrea, congratulations on your win:-) Alexis

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 8/28/2015 4:56:00 AM

Real beauty in ur poetry Andrea! Sure will fly high, best wishes!

Kp Nunez

Date: 8/27/2015 12:58:00 PM

A unique approach you made here, Andie. You added additional conflict in the form of transplantation, a very good angle which made the write much more interesting. With or without the contest, this poem will surely stand the test of time. hugs!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/27/2015 7:53:00 AM

"Old loved ones passed and I remained a tree." You saved the very best line for last. What an excellent piece Andrea.

James Peranteau

Date: 8/27/2015 4:45:00 AM

Ask and ye shall recieve.....poof....request granted....*winks*

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 8/27/2015 4:00:00 AM

Andie some one of a kind lines here that I like from other I read.... beautiful! hope you are ok? hugs xx~Olive Eloisa =')

Viv Wigley

Date: 8/26/2015 8:44:00 PM

This is great, Andrea, works so well in every aspect. A 7 and a fave, thanks, Viv x

James Inman

Date: 8/26/2015 5:53:00 PM

Andrea, I love the tranplant idea. Guess what tree I used? Oak, go figure.

Carrie Richards

Date: 8/26/2015 2:35:00 PM

Your is unique......the theme of transplanting, and the struggle for survival !! Well done.....looks like it will be a winner !!

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 8/26/2015 8:33:00 AM

Fabulous words, they weave a spell of beautiful visuals. Great write, and best of luck in the competition.

Skat A

Date: 8/26/2015 12:03:00 AM

By The way, this is a very cool poem, you an oak, tall and proud.... SKAT

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/26/2015 11:05:00 PM

thanks, and for getting back to me on my question!

Skat A

Date: 8/26/2015 12:02:00 AM

HOLA, Andrea.... regarding your question.... Specifically mine and LINDA'S....I'm speaking, on my behalf and PD's.... I have no time right now to add it on my contest page... I'm too toooo, lazy. LOL..... Please do not enter a poem, that won in one of my past contest... I don't mind if it won in someone else's contest.

Jennifer Walker

Date: 8/25/2015 11:41:00 PM

Wonderful personification, you would be a strong oak tree, I would be a weeping willow with all my drama I have in my life at this time.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/26/2015 10:51:00 PM

Jenny, Weeping willow is MY tree in Celtic horoscope, and I am a bit melancholy especially at my birthday time with summer ending. We are both willows. Maybe I can be a willow oak!