these trees lean
across water
that has so slowly stolen
and sifted earth
from their roots
roots hungry and hardened
flailing through air
half of them, the rest
cling to what is left
because, rooted
and legless
they stand
where they always stood
trees
are planted in one place
at random
and stay
until they die
no matter what
now that’s
commitment
to place
Susan Daniels Poetry 
Such a different way to exist, the ultimate in non-transience.
Yes–thanking God I have legs 🙂
love it susan. can’t help wonder if they could…would they…re-root? as we do?
LOL, look down–apparently they can do just fine! The whole premise of my poem needs its mouth washed out with soap 🙂
hahaha. 😉
They have roots! And the roots move! Into the earth. Their trunks lean, reach out to feel and embrace the open skies! And even though rooted in place, their leaves sway, rocking to and fro, and touch every passing wind and drink/feed richly from the sun and the atmosphere!
Darn it, you are right Noel, as you always are. I stand corrected, chastised, etc., but I do like where my poem tried to go (or not go)–but thank you for defending those poor trees, they needed someone to speak for them 🙂
Me thinks they were trying to speak through me! 🙂
Yes, my apologies to my twigged brethren…
I have always wondered what it means to not be able to run away. To stay and watch the axe or the bulldozer move closer and closer, taking out your companions.
I think it is a version of very quiet hell.
I know the famous summary of Sartre’s “No Exit” is that “hell is other people.” I partially accept that but I think hell, for me, is immobility, captivity, the inability to let one’s body balance itself or keep itself from decaying. People do impose that on one another, on plants, on animals. So, maybe Sartre was onto something.
Trees are fascinating to me -for many many reasons- because they are offer a different theory of motion. My notion of hell doesn’t necessarily apply to trees. . . though trees aren’t motionless and they are not free from sickness, death, abuse and loss.
Jeremy–beautifully said, and I agree.
Beautiful writing ~ I like the symbolism of the tree ~ Last week I wrote one about this theme for Father’s day ~
Thanks for subscribing but my WP blog is inactive; I am actively writing in my blogger ~
http://everydayamazin.blogspot.ca/
Have a good weekend ~
Thanks so much Grace–I get you everydayamazin sent to me via e-mail–love it 🙂
Have a lovely weekend too!
liking this esp
now that’s
commitment
to place
Thank you, Ian! And it is an absolute commitment 🙂
Permanence, strength, survival, home.
Beautifully done.
Thank you Susan. Visiting your blog is always rewarding
Thank you, Nsisong! I appreciate the comment/support from one who so gorgeously smiths his own words.