These Trees

Listen to poem:
"I stood still and was a tree amid the wood,
Knowing the truth of things unseen before;"
. . .
"Nathless I have been a tree amid the wood
And many a new thing understood
That was rank folly to my head before."

   --- from The Tree, by Ezra Pound
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Slender, singular, filamentous fir,
Yellowing larch -- these trees
Do not speak but seem to sleep,
Sheltering skinny sheep
Handily herded -- full-fleeced
In lanolin-laden wool.

Sheep do not sleep much.
They speak their protest --
(Such ineffective baas) --
To cloning and to closeness.

All, doubles of the ovine others,
Crowded among brothers,
Cowering under silent wood:
Dissimilar dark fir;
Lone, yellowing
Larch.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 11/1/2015 8:11:00 PM
Excellent poem, Leo: Have top rated it and added it to my favorites to read again. Welcome as a Premium Member, SuZ
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Date: 5/23/2011 12:26:00 PM
A nicely constructed piece. Good use of language. Regards, Robert.
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