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The Old Oak Tree

Oh I am but a simple leaf
         withering within the gutter
         one summer of bliss
         now! Just an autumn flutter.

                   For some; destine to fall
                   upon stony ground, a part
                   of life’s infernal gyration.
                   Yet for those that fall
                   within your reach, to live
                   on within your soul!

         While limbs that stretch
         towards the solstice, create
         vivacious veins as channels of hope,
         a pledge of foliation continues
         to endure what spring has
         furnished; autumn expires. 

                   Yes! If we can but learn
                   from nature’s complex simplicity,
                   that life be of a cycle
                   from the seed we are conceived,
                   then let spring be my beginning
                   winter my exultant eve!

         Let our two cultures
         merge as one, the
         decomposed humus
         to become the sustenance;
         our transfusion the
         new beginning.

                   Let us breathe the
                   fragrance of born again;
                   let each slender limb,
                   stout body bear our
                   tenaciousness, each lyrical
                   leaf our life’s blood.

          Let us mollycoddle each
          precious tear that falls from a
          angry sky; dance gracefully
          upon the wind, embrace
          on moonless nights, bathe
           in summer madness.

                   Let us hear the bluebell call,
                   the daffodil pray, the apple
                   blossom bear witness; the
                   clamour of the field mouse
                   the pitapat of the butterfly
                   the silence of lovers in love.

             Let us be sanctuary to the
             symbolic songstress, scuttling
             squirrel, vulgar urchin;
             a fortress for the warrior
             a haven for the pacifist
             an inspiration for the poet!

 EPILOGUE 

                  The call of springtime
                   we will invoke,
                     logging representative
                      we will gladly choke;
                        nature’s guardian.
                          “This! Obliging old oak.”

       © Harry J Horsman  1997

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




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12
Date: 10/7/2023 4:37:00 AM
Brilliantly written! I love this treasure! Great imagery!
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Date: 6/5/2023 8:57:00 AM
I am reading this poem with a heavy heart - I miss your gorgeous poems, Harry. Each and every word, every stanza shines with your brilliantly chosen words...and the thoughts are so deep! Thank you, Harry, for presenting such astounding poem. You will be in our hearts, for ever!
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Date: 5/22/2023 3:56:00 AM
Very enjoyable work. Thank you for sharing. Sara
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Date: 1/22/2023 1:30:00 PM
This is so beautiful Harry! Michael Tor wrote a poem for prayer for you, and many of us are praying to our Father to heal you, in Jesus name I ask that you are made well, and continue to write your beautiful poetry. This poem, as I can see, is from the 1990's, and it shines as if freshly penned from your talented hand, and a fave for me <3 Get well Harry, we're praying for you <3 ~BJ
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Horsman Avatar
Harry Horsman
Date: 1/22/2023 11:14:00 PM
Thank you, BJ,
Date: 6/30/2022 10:57:00 AM
Harry, I'm so glad you led me to your poem. this is so expressive and uplifting.
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Date: 5/7/2021 7:54:00 AM
Lovely! “Let us hear the bluebell call, the daffodil pray, the apple blossom bear witness
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Date: 5/6/2021 2:25:00 PM
Tis the never ending circle of life, Harry. You drew the picture splendidly. Blessings. D.
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Date: 4/16/2021 8:14:00 AM
I just came back to read this poem for the 5th time! It is so beautiful and deep. I love your words, Harry.
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Date: 3/29/2021 10:07:00 AM
What a wonderful poem, Harry. Consider me one of your followers!
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Date: 4/20/2020 3:58:00 PM
Speaking of personification, Harry, Here is another one I keep coming back to. It's still your BEST or at least most popular at Soup, and I can't believe it's been posted up since the year 2000. Wow, you have been here twice as long as I have!! (oh wait, I see it was WRITTEN in that year, not posted!!) Wondering just how long Soup has been in existence!!
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Harry Horsman
Date: 4/20/2020 8:09:00 PM
soup i think began in 2005, thanks again for the visit.
Date: 1/23/2020 7:56:00 AM
Great work Harry. This poem blew me away. I am glad I read this:....Let us hear the bluebell call,.... the daffodil pray, the apple... Write on my friend..
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Date: 11/25/2018 1:08:00 PM
An epic poem, not only about one leaf, but the ecosystem as well. You have written a lengthy poem that keeps the attention and informs - spendid work!
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Date: 1/9/2018 11:54:00 AM
This is truly an amazing piece of writing, Harry... I'm in awe. This mighty oak was definitely an inspiration for you! Faves
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Date: 6/2/2016 8:38:00 PM
Two years later and I am revisiting this one, still considered your BEST . It's a marvel.
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Date: 1/19/2016 6:54:00 AM
Not only a fabulous poem, but it comes complete with an Epilogue. Wonderful read.
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Date: 8/17/2014 6:48:00 PM
according to Soup, this is your VERY best poem!! I would agree. I looked below here and saw I had called it a masterpiece!
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Date: 7/21/2013 5:22:00 PM
Hi Harry...I don't know how long this has been out here but I'm so glad I got a chance to enjoy and absorb its beauty..a masterpiece
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Date: 7/14/2013 11:50:00 AM
A great congrats on your superb win, my sweet friend. Loved always, bl
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Date: 7/13/2013 6:58:00 PM
Wow so good! and I loved the staggered verses too! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
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Date: 7/12/2013 5:39:00 PM
Oh Henry, congratulations on your outstanding poem. This is definitely a fav of mine. Warm Smiles, Connie
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Date: 7/12/2013 10:36:00 AM
harry, I believe this is one of yours that made it once in Soup's semi finals of their international contest? It is your one of your best poems EVER. Glad to see it honored here again in PD's contest. THE BEST. and I really should have faved it the first time. FAVE.
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Date: 7/12/2013 9:44:00 AM
congrats on a great win Harry
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Date: 7/12/2013 6:43:00 AM
Another magnificent painting with words ..."vivacious veins as channels of hope"... captivating. Congratulations on your win :)
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Date: 7/12/2013 1:08:00 AM
A wonderful poem. Congratulations on your win. The opening stanza is so good. and it keeps giving...SuZ
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Date: 7/11/2013 10:54:00 PM
congrats on your awesome win............. SKAT
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12

Book: Reflection on the Important Things