The Family Tree

[Mark A Becker]

The Family Tree

Even in broad daylight
while the kids call for him
by the new tire swing
granddaddy won't go near

            that gnarled old southern oak.

[TranquillityBase]

Hi Mark,

I guess I feel a little cheated by this poem.  I want to know more about why grandaddy won't go near it.  The history hint implies something ominous (e.g. a lynching), but if it's that extreme,  the father's response then feels heartless.  Or a family suicide, same thing.

Maybe I'm making too much out of a simple poem.

Tim

[Mark A Becker]

Hey Tim-

Thanks for the comments.

The "new tire swing" helped me keep the line at 6 syallables, to match the 6 syllable count of each line: a syllabic quirk of mine that helps me stay concise. Plus, "new" seemed important to the narrative.

All that said, what I guess I was gettin at is that change can take generations.

Mark

[TranquillityBase]

Thanks for the response.  (Thought later: it's not thr tree's fault...)

Your six syllable rule has got me thinking...