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The Clearing

There is a meadow that seems to spring
      from beyond trees
            in a bordering forest
To many, it is known as "The Clearing."
To me, it's a beautiful place.
      full of tall grasses of lavender and gold,
            depending on the season.
Its bounty includes colorful wildflowers--
      red, pink, lilac, gold, large and tiny
            and bird songs to wake the new day.
I wonder: has it always worn blossoms and grass?
Or did long ago, trees, mighty and tall, grow
      until they fell to fires and drought
            and Time reclaimed their seasonal pass.
It stands alone now, unknown the reason
      A many-hued break between the pines
             Beautiful and strong
And no one seems to mind
      that it has no trees.

February 13, 2023
for "The Clearing Poetry Contest"
by Craig Cornish

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Merv Hold Date: 2/26/2023 3:55:00 PM That's a mighty nice clearing you describe Ann. Your words are inviting and you add a bit of mystery about it which I like. It gets the reader wondering. Yes very nice. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:45:00 PM Thank you, Merv, for your nice comments!

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 2/26/2023 8:42:00 AM reading this poem paints a vivid, beautiful picture in my mind - congrats on your win in the contest! :) Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:44:00 PM Thank you, Charlotte. And, congratulations to you on First place!

Christuraj Alex Date: 2/25/2023 8:03:00 PM "And no one seems to mind that it has no trees" - A great poem. Congratulations! Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:42:00 PM Thank you, Christuraj!

Sotto Poet Date: 2/25/2023 10:39:00 AM Congratulations, Ann, for the winning achievement; your poem on clearing is so lovely, and I really liked the way you depicted the striking metaphors. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:46:00 PM Thank you, Lasaad! :)

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 2/25/2023 7:34:00 AM I love to come to clearings when on walks through the woods Ann. They seem to team with life that doesn't mind if one watches in awe and wonder as you've so well-described. Congratulations on your win. :) Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:50:00 PM It was a clearing outside of Cloudcroft, NM. We used to go by it often--so lovely.

Gary Radice Date: 2/17/2023 6:58:00 AM It almost reads like a metaphor for a mindset Ann. A lovely read. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/17/2023 9:06:00 AM Thanks, Gary. Yes, I think it is a mindset of a soothing place for the mind to frequent in trying times! I appreciate your comments :)

Andrea Dietrich Date: 2/15/2023 5:29:00 PM this was a great pleasure to read. i sure hope i can get inspired to try one. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/17/2023 9:09:00 AM Thank you so much, Andrea! A place far from life's noise!

Hilo Poet Date: 2/15/2023 3:49:00 PM Ann, differences abandon many to wonder, albeit, splendor extends acceptance of a Clearing, nicely done, Aloha, William Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 3/7/2023 4:51:00 PM Thank you for your nice comments, William! Ann Peck Date: 2/17/2023 9:17:00 AM Thanks for your nice comments, William! Probably the trees were cut down to build homes, but I'd rather it was nature that removed them :) Aloha!

Joseph May Date: 2/14/2023 10:55:00 AM Flowers and bird songs makes the Clearing a beautiful place, ell penned Ann Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/14/2023 7:27:00 PM Thanks, Joseph!

Harry Horsman Date: 2/13/2023 6:37:00 PM Its amazing how many places, have been labelled may years ago, even century, maybe your poem, was the start of just that, a clearing of trees to make for a place for pasture for cows sheep etc. Anyhow i digress, from as usual your insightful poetry, so lovely, i think Craig may like this...Harry Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/14/2023 8:41:00 AM Dear Harry, Thank you for your thoughts, as always so thoughtful. I wrote about a real meadow in the mountains. I used to imagine living in a small house in the midst of that lovely meadow.

Heidi Sands Date: 2/13/2023 11:59:00 AM Very nice . It reminds me of a clearing near here :) Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/14/2023 8:46:00 AM Thanks, Heidi. There are probably many such clearings. I hope it doesn't mean the trees were cleared on purpose, but they might have been built into homes...

Victor Buhagiar Date: 2/13/2023 11:33:00 AM Were the trees cleared off? Pity, because trees are important. They are truly useful. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/14/2023 8:48:00 AM I hope they weren't, Victor. But it always seemed strange in the midst of a forest.

Suzanne Clear Date: 2/13/2023 10:13:00 AM Anne, You have captured deep, deep meanings in your calming thoughts. thx, think we all need your wisdom. appreciate you, suzanne Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 2/13/2023 11:26:00 AM Dear Suzanne, I look forward to your comments because you are always so kind. :) love you.