21 August 2016

Between a Hickory Tree and a Blessing


Statues among bamboo and trees are shaped
steel, smoothed marble, cast bronze and concrete

Material and immortal, they space
themselves as if they breathe the air

As if they were an ancient Henge and not
recent, as if land-shaped and not landscaped

We walk a maze, surprised at every turn,
art teaching us to see forests as trees

And making us forget to read labels
on trunks, on posed and painted human forms

Indeed, to join the show, to rest, to note
movements of mortals, costumes of today

Or not.  To grab a bench, take out a pen,
find words and generate found poetry

And choose:  Enter deeper reality
or weave illusion on the spot.  Spit spot.  

Linger or speed, turn right or left, stand up,
or sit on architectural stages

As one with waiting things that envy trees
their roots, heartwood, green strength, wrinkles and grace.  




Nature’s Laugh by Gunnar Theel, my own photo



Posted at Poets United Poetry Pantry #316


My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.

© 2016 Susan L. Chast 



22 comments:

  1. We have so much to learn from nature but mankind is quite contrary in inventiveness no more so than in artistic endeavors where there is no limit to our imagination, challenging rules just to impress.

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  2. That's intriguing; a walk through art and nature and where they meet. There is so much in this that fascinates. I definitely loved this bit: "And choose: Enter deeper reality/or weave illusion on the spot. Spit spot."
    -HA

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  3. What a magical title and i felt like i was playing in that woodland with you.. figuring out thoughts and words.. separating out the wood from the trees.. the spit spot rhymes were pitch perfect and the whole sense of your poem filled me with wonder and thoughts

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  4. " To grab a bench, take out a pen,
    find words and generate found poetry "

    And yes - either enter deeper reality or weave illusion with our words: the poet's choice..an
    important one - but I think both poet and reader can discern the difference in the result.

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  5. Whistles!! ❤ Goodness this is so good 'And choose: Enter deeper reality or weave illusion on the spot. Spit spot.' Inspired :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  6. Lovely, lovely, lovely. It's so hard to do ekphrastics that live up to the works of art they celebrate – I think you have succeeded beautifully.

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  7. Nature especially trees are the fastest road to inspiration...thank you...bkm

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  8. I love the sense that artist can make us really see nature... maybe we need nature to see art as well... Love that connection.

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  9. so beautifully expressed & i see the glimpse of a story hidden here "green strength, wrinkles and grace."....

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  10. "Enter deeper reality or weave illusion on the spot." I vote for illusion. Reality is not kind, these days. Smiles.

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  11. Such an interesting poem, Susan. How art / sculptures can bring out the definition of trees. The way your words have moulded material objects into the landscape as tho' they've been there for decades and more.

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  12. to linger and let the words come--or not--found poetry is always the best--I loved how you settle into the picture and pull us there with you--beautiful write Susan

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  13. to linger and let the words come--or not--you pull us into this scene--such a beautiful write!

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  14. Love that ending. To me it meant there's more.

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  15. This is beautiful and inspiring...especially loved the concluding lines.

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  16. This piece is really special. I've noticed that you, often, weave a loose form of assonance through your work that really lends a lovely polish - especially when your poems are read aloud. In this poem, for example, I thought your use of the ee sound (pretty much, throughout) works so - melodiously - well.

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  17. Terrific movement and thoroughly enjoyed the choices as well as "spit-spot"

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  18. So beautiful....and yes it inspired me....now I want to write something...I haven't for months....

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  19. A lot of the best design and sculpture is inspired by the perfection of the natural world.

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  20. Susan, your words move as a dance with sculptures, trees and we the beholders each reflecting distinct parts in the dynamics. The photos you selected project the playfulness your words capture. Ending with "grace" made me want to circle around again from the top. When there's SO much that could be said, your economy of words identify in pitch-perfect rhythms a precious exchange. What a gift! Please get this "out there!"

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  21. Generating found poetry is one of my delights too.

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  22. i loved the shape, and sounds of this poem. yes, it's a delight to read it aloud.
    it is as if i am taking a walk through our botanical gardens here.

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