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Are Red
Maples tempted to hide themselves?
Maybe
from saws or storms, but not from elves.
Each
year you let your flying seed-wings sprout,
though
their seedlings annoy the grass about.
You're reliably stubborn and stay true
no
matter what humans (or grass) might do.
You see me trying hard to please others
though
often an instinct in me smothers.
Breathe with us. Live with abandon each day!
you shout, especially when autumn's in sway.
Don’t be white pine if you’re a red maple;
don’t willingly be a coffee table.
Ouch. I
won’t, my dear red maple tree.
Stay outside
my window, you're precious to me.
For my prompt Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Authenticity.
(My attempt to be serious failed as rhyme set in,
but what fun to simply let it be what it is.)
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
If you quote, credit this page.
© 2019 Susan L. Chast
Luv conversation mood and the surprise responding at the endlines
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday
Much🦋love
Loved your interpretation and agree with your thought!
ReplyDeleteWhy pretend to be something we are not?
Being authentic is precious to me.
And to you too- that I can see! :)
Have a wonderful week!
Authentic Black Beauty - Anita
The rhythm and rhyme was purely magical. "You're reliably stubborn and stay true" I am thinking of this line to apply to me. Such a delight to read the poem!
ReplyDeletebeautiful poem,Dr Susan Loved the line ' dont willingly be a coffee table'
ReplyDeletea pleasure to read
Love the conversation between you and the red maple!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!❤️ This is exquisitely drawn, Susan! I love the candor palpable in your verse especially; "Don’t be white pine if you’re a red maple;
ReplyDeletedon’t willingly be a coffee table." Inspired~ ❤️
Long may that maple stay outside your window. I love its invitation to live with abandon. Smiles.
ReplyDelete"Behave, Red Maple Tree is watching thee." Just a fun read, trying to decide what and who (I know!!) the author might be. And what a e(be(ing) a coffee table" might be like. Fun there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the prompt, in a hurry I tried to be on track with it.
..
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI love this example of being happpy to be who we are...there's no point in trying to falsify a personna we cannot be..the instinct to please others, can be smothering, as your poetic words say!!
Amazing poem, with a bit of dark humor...the coffee table. Sometimes we sacrifice ourselves to be something we are not. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important to talk to the trees, for both you and the trees sakes. There is so much in this world we should appreciate more, the trees especially as each one gives us breath to live.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem with a great message. The maple tree is as precious as it is. I love the coffee table end Powerful and funny
ReplyDeleteBut I think it's serious – even with the rhyming, even with the lighter moments. And it's quite a feat, to be light and deep at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Susan, trees are the real deal and true to themselves. I enjoyed your tribute to trees!
ReplyDeleteI really like this. :) Especially the bit about not becoming a coffee table.
ReplyDeleteOuch. I won’t, my dear red maple tree.
ReplyDeleteStay outside my window, you're precious to me.
Let it be there to provide beauty and brightness to life. It is great to share grand moments together. Hopefully someone devious with a saw will not transform it into a coffee table. Love the tinge of humor in this take Susan, Ma'am!
Hank
Don’t be white pine if you’re a red maple;
ReplyDeletedon’t willingly be a coffee table. - oh I love this bit - have to fight so much all those trying to make us into coffee tables!