Musing on the fall

[just mercedes]

Sunlight crashes uninvited
through flax and ferns 
surrounding the old tree, 

his protective presence 
now a vacancy. Birds circle,
gauging this new space.

Their calls round out the groan
as he fell. Outstretched branches
tremble, reaching up; some smashed

under his cold lichen-encrusted trunk,
with nests, and fairytales of safety.
If you hadn't seen the kahikatea

you wouldn’t experience this shock of absence
like a tooth missing from a lover's smile.
The horizon calls the sun closer, to consume me.

[nibbed]

beautiful poem, mercedes
much enjoyed
thank you

[just mercedes]

No, thank YOU.

[Leanne]

Sunlight crashes uninvited - the crash of sunlight instead of tree makes for a dramatic opening
through flax and ferns 
surrounding the old tree, 

his protective presence - not too keen on protective presence - perhaps something about guardian to play off gauging instead
now a vacancy. Birds circle,
gauging this new space.

Their calls round out the groan
as he fell. Outstretched branches - the tense confusion bothers me a bit here
tremble, reaching up; some smashed

under his cold lichen-encrusted trunk,
with nests, and fairytales of safety. - love this
If you hadn't seen the kahikatea

you wouldn’t experience this shock of absence
like a tooth missing from a lover's smile.
The horizon calls the sun closer, to consume me. - and a beautiful close

Is it just me, or is there a muse rash going around?

[ellajam]

Thanks, Merc, what a fine way to start the day, I didn't even need my first cup of coffee to read it, clear on first read, moving from S1. Makes me smile that I don't have to google your trees anymore to see them.
Sad when the view changes. Years ago the state came in to repair a dam here and removed the front line of trees on both sides of it, what a raw, ugly sight. It took time but nature works its way, low growth filled in and the next line of trees flourished in their new sunshine. Never the same, but healing.

Love the birds circling and the lover's smile.

[just mercedes]

Is it just me, or is there a muse rash going around?

It's just you.    I'm seldom rash. 

Thank you for savvy comments as always.

---

Thanks, Merc, what a fine way to start the day, I didn't even need my first cup of coffee to read it, clear on first read, moving from S1. Makes me smile that I don't have to google your trees anymore to see them.
Sad when the view changes. Years ago the state came in to repair a dam here and removed the front line of trees on both sides of it, what a raw, ugly sight. It took time but nature works its way, low growth filled in and the next line of trees flourished in their new sunshine. Never the same, but healing.

Love the birds circling and the lover's smile.

Thank you, for kindness. I know that time heals the wounds, but it's hard to accept that at the beginning of change. Here in NZ everyone plants trees under power lines. Then they have to chop them, lop them, trim and torment them. Why?

[ellajam]

I was recently on a large lake with a beautiful mountain view totally spoiled by a row of power towers on its ridge. When I mentioned it I was told matter of factly that's how a whole section of lake houses get power. We all want power, maybe if the earth survives people will look back on the crude and destructive way our generations got it as they plug in in a better way.