Poem: The Forest
65
The Forest
The loggers leave a path:
mud streaks, hewn branches, stumps,
scarred trees, boulders askew-
marks left as if a titan has been dragged
screaming through the forest.
The formerly peaceful walk
through the worshiping trees is now
a tormented vision as of a battlefield done,
the leavings of Grendel's feast
strewn about.
And next year they will be marked
again with circles of paint
like numbers tattooed on wrists
waiting for the train.
The conversation of the trees
is now stunted--
a stricken, amazed
silence echoes.
The caretakers count
their 30 pieces of silver.
The loggers count their
board-feet and drink another beer.
When I was a young reader, my three favorite books set in forests were: Green Mansions by William Henry Hudson; The Yearling by Marjorie Rawlings and The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss. Perhaps it is time to dust off the library shelf and give one of these to a young reader. And now, as an adult, I just read The Secret Garden by Burnett which definitely belongs on this list although it takes place in a garden rather than a forest.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
this is great. the personification and imagery is fantastic. i also love how you contrast the image of a peacful forest with grendle. its extraordinary poetry
Thanks for the comment. Glad you liked it. We hear a lot about animal rights.....I wonder if someday we might consider tree rights.
nice peom
Very nice poem.
beautiful, amazing and much more. It is really very nice
I truly appreciate the kind comments.
i love the juxtaposition of the flowing imagery and the harsh reality in the end. great poem, as usual :D
Thanks Chris. I do think this poem at least conveys its point....perhaps too bluntly.
yes it does, and succintly so.
What is too blunt when the issue is of that magnitude? So I say no, it's not too blunt because bluntness does not apply :D
You certainly don't mince words or imagery in your poem rape of the red, either. I like the irony of 7 turned to L.
nice !!!
i really like the poem keep up the great work
Kim, Thank you for the encouragement.
i love your poem i was a insperation
I like this one, it is a shame that people who care about the environment only get to talk to ourselves - if you know what I mean :D But I also think every little helps and so thanks !
Alternate poet: Thanks for dropping by. Semi-obscurity is the name of the game. It is encouraging, however, that this particular poem has been read far more times than I ever thought possible.
Another fine poem. Now i wonder if I can find the one about crabapple trees.
NICEE PEOM!!! AWESOME KIDD
AWESOME U DID THT PEOM
Hi Barranca, I was hoping to use your poem as an example of poetry on the theme of nature in my school assignment, would this be okay with you? Also, I was hoping to get your full name to write as the poet, which is preferrable to Barranca, although if this is not possible I completely understand.
you have written a wonderful poem, congratulations on all your recognition.
Thanks for stopping by. You are welcome to use the poem. My name is Thomas Deeds.
I highly recommend the books by Robert Pogue Harrison that are in the Amazon capsule above. They are life changing books.
nice poem it so good.
Thanks Jaypee. Glad you enjoyed it.
good poem!!!!!!!!!!!
this is a great poem for kids who gona use in there projects "_ love u
Rayna, Thanks Rayna, I am happy that you think well enough of it to use it in a class.
Nice:DD
The Lorax likes your poem.
what is the poems date?
and the author is male or female?
Sury, I am the author and my name is Thomas Deeds. (male). I wrote it about 3 years ago. Thanks for asking.
Whoa, what an interesting down-to-earth poem full of imagery! The juxtaposition of your imagery flow;especially at the end of the poem is very enviable and enjoyable.I think i have to use this poem for my classroom lessons on poetry.
REGARDS
Thanks, Bong. You are welcome to use it. I know a couple of other teachers who have found it useful.
nice poem barranca..i really love this poem
Puja, Thanks for your kind comment.
Tomas, that's a wonderful poem. Send it to The New Yorker.
a very nice poem.
Thanks, Harshit, glad you enjoyed it.
nice
it is good i liked it how you described the forest thanks i enjoyed it.
Santiago 4 years ago
Amazing