| Author | Message | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 2459 Registered: 08-2003 |
“Every wild-apple shrub excites our expectation thus, somewhat as every wild child... Poets and philosophers and statesmen thus spring up in the country pastures, and outlast the hosts of unoriginal men..” -- Henry David Thoreau Moving but not moving, grass waves along the edge of the water, you point to the Macintosh at the side of the millpond. I watch you bend and snap a green one without wiping it off, think of the worms you’ve consumed. “They’re bitter” you say not the juicy strains your sister imagined. Reality is an apple, the hard crunch between your teeth—crop evidence of an unyielding world. Still, I insist on the tree’s existence, point in the direction of the boat, survey choppy waters. You tell me I am unstable, I’ll tip without experience. Over coffee and no donuts your son speaks of the Indian trail. You smile and plant him on the porch near sacks of apple seed. You are part of the land’s seam—sprouting philosophy like Thoreau’s Wild Apples. It’s been eighteen years of self-imposed exile, bringing in the well water, your house caving in. You follow us to the edge of the road, cover the buds on your arms that have begun to grow. | ||
| Lazarus
Intermediate Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 559 Registered: 10-2005 |
Nice company E. Sounds like it was good time. I remember something about this story- an apple tree in the middle of a pond? I like the connection between the wild child and the wild tree and the wildness in the person you've come to understand. I think this is a marvelous poem all around, to read or to hear (I wish I could). “Something sacred, that's what they want” -Jim Morrison. From the movie “The Doors.” | ||
| Zephyr
Senior Member Username: zephyr Post Number: 3537 Registered: 07-2003 |
Thoreau, didn't he illustrate a book of birds? Lovely poem E.  | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 389 Registered: 01-2005 |
E, excellent poem made even better with your fine stanza breaks --it's all so smooth with great imagery. Thanks for this, Teresa | ||
| sue kay
Member Username: suekay Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2005 |
I love this. I noticed it before Christmas, didn't have the chance to weigh in, then I began to think of it as "The tree in the middle of the pond/It's here, its not here." Which of course, only adds to the final appearance. Nice marriage of image, reference, and electronic play. LOL The last stanza is lovely, a tribute to the essential originality of the man, and the temper that cannot allow him to be anything else. Sue | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Senior Member Username: kathy Post Number: 2836 Registered: 12-2003 |
E, enjoyed the read. Nicely done. K | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 6148 Registered: 11-1998 |
I do like everything about this one, E. Though I must admit, I thought perhaps the quote from Thoreau in the beginning was a bit weighty. Its bulk hangs a bit uncomfortably above the rest. Is there a way to strip it down to its essence? This was my fav part: "Reality is an apple, the hard crunch between your teeth—crop evidence of an unyielding world. Still, I insist on the tree’s existence," I always wondered what reality was. Now I know. *grin* | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 2468 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hi Guys, Checkin in from Marfa, Texas. I'm in this hip bookstore in the middle of the desert--pale green desert scrub, robin's egg skies. The coffee is kick ass and I'm happy as a morning dove. Can't hog much computer time as it's limited. Laz, hugs and thanks to you m'dear for commenting and keeping an eye on workshop, Zeph, he may have written that book--will have to research merci for stopping and reading, Teresa, your positive response makes all the difference, thank you. Sue kay you're a doll. Happy you enjoyed this. "Love" is nice to hear! I'm so glad the essence came through in the final stanza. Kathy, cheers and thanks for reading . M dear I trimmed down the quote a bit. I believe you are right. I had the same thoughts. Glad you could take a bite. Love to all, E | ||
| Lazarus
Intermediate Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 599 Registered: 10-2005 |
It's great to hear from you E! Glad everything is going well. Hope you have fun and a safe trip back. PS I like the quote trim. “Something sacred, that's what they want” -Jim Morrison. From the movie “The Doors.” | ||
| Karen L Monahan
Intermediate Member Username: klhmonahan Post Number: 451 Registered: 08-2004 |
Lovely E! Really this is a great poem. I will read again and again. (((smile))) Karen |
