02 July 2024

The death of a tree

 

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 Last night’s thunder was sharper and louder
than ever before.  The morning revealed
a huge tulip tree split and shattered—just
far enough away from structures and wires.
 
Try to imagine that minute’s drama:
thunder along with a streak of light miles
high and inches low, blinding and deadly,
targets the heart of the innocent tree.
 
And then in small gusts of wind, gentle rain
blesses the victim and scene of the crime.
All around it, saplings and grasses lift
their heads and drink, thirst foremost in their minds.
 
And the earth keeps turning toward morning.
The earth keeps turning toward the next dawn.


For Sumana's prompt "Rain" at What's Going On?

 My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2024 Susan L. Chast  

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13 comments:

  1. Rajani7/02/2024 11:22 PM

    The earth keeps turning...and that is relief, that is horror and that is guarantee... what a beautiful poem and so much of a metaphor for other horrible things falling from the sky ending more than beautiful trees...love this poem, Susan.

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  2. Sumana Roy7/03/2024 11:05 AM

    It is indeed "minute’s drama" as disaster strikes. Death stories and survival stories go hand in hand. The earth seems detached yet is always ready to remove darkness. A beautiful poem Susan.

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  3. Jae Rose7/03/2024 11:09 AM

    I am glad that the world keeps turning - beautifully captured - Jae

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  4. Sherry Blue Sky7/03/2024 11:34 AM

    Poor tree! I love when, with the rain, the grasses and saplings lift their heads to drink. And the earth keeps turning, no matter what disheartening horrors are on the morning news. Such a fine poem, Susan.

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  5. Kim M. Russell7/03/2024 11:43 AM

    I like the way you started with the violence of thunder and ended with gentle rain, Susan. It’s not often one gets to see a tree struck by lightning; the last time I saw that was when I was a child. I love that the rain blesses the victim and the ‘saplings and grasses lift their heads and drink’. Indeed, the earth keeps turning.

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  6. alan17047/03/2024 12:04 PM

    Love it and those last two lines are just perfect. There is always a new dawn ! Lovely poem and so captivating.

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  7. Anonymous7/03/2024 12:10 PM

    And life goes on....Rall

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  8. Mary7/03/2024 12:21 PM

    Poor tree! I like the idea that gentle rain blesses the victim afterwards and that the saplings and grasses drink and are refreshed, despite the 'crime.'! And yes, the earth keeps turning. Every day a new dawn. And the saplings will continue to grow.

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  9. Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP)7/03/2024 4:10 PM

    I love the way Rajani responded and I so agree. the Earth keeps turning that "IS" the horror and the guarantee. Brilliant poem and response.

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  10. Anonymous7/04/2024 9:58 AM

    I love this poem. Nature can act in unexpected ways. Thank you. annell

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  11. Fireblossom7/06/2024 5:24 PM

    You've captured the malice-less indifference of nature, where one thing dies suddenly while others continue to slowly grow.

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  12. Susie Clevenger7/07/2024 12:12 PM

    Nature is incredible. One thing dies and much more springs to life among the decay.

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  13. Jennifer Wagner7/08/2024 12:19 AM

    That would be a striking scene to behold (pun intended!). I really like that final couplet! Nicely done, Susan!

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