Requiem for a Pine

[sooZen]

I planted you the year my first son was born
a baby yourself in a one gallon plastic pot
You seemed so hopeful, upright and healthy
not unlike my son, a bright and beautiful sprig

I watched you grow, from sapling to maturity
Outside my second story window you sheltered me
a shade, a roost for the doves, a grackle nest site
you were the picture of green, of strong sturdy branch
swaying in the high desert winds no matter how strong

Past the rooftop you grew, past my window
I sat in your shade, I hugged you like a friend
I smelled your piney scent, I watched the moon rise
through your branches, I loved you and your cones
even the dogs liked your pine nuts and laid at your feet

Then came the freeze of 2011 and three days of frost
Your Mediterranean roots were sorely tested
it was not your liking, it froze the sap in your veins
like a harsh mistress, Mother Nature had her way
and I was unaware of the damage to your piney heart

I tied a red ribbon to your branch and was hopeful
new shoots sprung out from the dried needles
you looked like a survivor, raggedy but alive
then the new shoots died, you started to shed
needles littered the ground and piled high

I watched you die, from the bottom up
first the lower branches, death crawled up your spine
Your magnificence was replaced with pine bones and bark
A slow and agonizing death, you suffered, you tried
but couldn't survive the unusual 100 year freeze

Only 38 years old, just a youngster in pine tree age
Now I see only your dust, your litter and your skeleton
Taking your body away will be a chore for an expert
I am giving you another winter even though
I must be witness to your naked truth

[Artguy]

Life of a tree parallels one of a son...bravo wonderful piece.

She grew a row of beans
Only 3 then
Now the garden blossoms
It nourishes our bodies
Feeds our spirit and slakes the needs of birds
Now at 22
Her own garden of knowledge
Of wisdom beyond the child she was
A young women seeking her own life
Explorations in the halls of university
Absorbing lectures
Voracious pages
leaf by leaf the garden flourishes
A fragrant flower arises.

[sooZen]

Thank you Artguy! Just hope my son fares better than the pine I planted the year of his birth (he seems to be thriving.) And I loved your poem about your daughter, beautiful.

[judih]

gorgeous and strong till a fluke of weather
but what a life she had
May our sons and daughters weather the storms

[saw]

there is a profound sadness that fills the air when a tree dies.....a landmark to the many days you shared the earth, now gone.....I have many pets buried in my yard, all inside the triangle formed by three pines......cannot imagine one of them not there........good piece

[Arcadia]

I remember your relatos & photos about that pine, Soo... sad... & beautiful poem! & loved your answer, artguy!

[sooZen]

I appreciate the responses, thank you.

[Artguy]

...for nothin left to lose...

[stilltrucking]

a helpless feeling watching a tree die
even so I enjoyed reading your poem
thank you for writing

[sooZen]

...for nothin left to lose...

[sooZen]

Yes, "helpless" describes it perfectly Jack. Thanks for the reply.