..or our future!
*
TREES.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~ Joyce Kilmer
*
I am not interested in a discussion about faith here (we each believe as we do). I am not concerned with the merits of the poem (which I think is beautiful), or the author (whom I think was a gifted writer). I am concerned about the slash and burn mentality of those who are destroying not just beautiful trees, forests, wildlife and all that accompanies it, but also our future.
The Dalai Lama said once, “We” humans, would not go into our own homes and throw all of our household furniture we need everyday into a fire we would use only once, so why do we do this to the furnishings of our home – the planet Earth.
Without going all scientific, I will say that the ecological system for this planet is finely honed, everything relates to everything else. There is a connection, a very substantial connection and as humans interfere with the natural order of how the planet operates, the planet self corrects.
The ones most at danger are ourselves. A good thing to know as we hurry onward to “greater” civilization. The life style we have adopted is slowly tearing the fabric of our futures apart.
Mother earth is self correcting. We all know it at some level of awareness. We are very aware of the climate changes; of the geographic disturbances around the world (taking lives as it happens). It is what this planet does best after all.
These are good and important things to be aware of and changes to be made, as we can, each in our own way. We can make a difference, positive change adds up, always! Don’t you feel the planet’s pain? I do and if you don’t already, try and you will too! We are the guardians. Our responsibility! Ours!
~ Penny
elamany
November 20, 2012 at 5:06 am
yes we r the gurdians and we will get what we cultivate,, hope we wake up before it s too late. very nice post.
pennycoho
November 20, 2012 at 10:46 am
Thank you, I hope and believe we will!
Marcella Rousseau
November 18, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I love this poem. I learned it in high school but I only remembered the first line. Just like I only remember, “By the shoes of Gitche Gumee sat the little Hiawatha.” Or, “The fog comes on little cat feet.” I have several posts on my blog about trees. I think you may have seen them already. ; – )
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I’m that way too about poems from school also. Remember this one was, Under a spreading chestnut tree the village smithy stands, or Blessing on thee little man, barefoot boy with cheeks of tan… funny how we retain the first bit isn’t it! Yes I have seen them, your photography is beautiful Marcella. Thank you for visiting and commenting also.
Marcella Rousseau
November 19, 2012 at 3:54 pm
YES! I remember the village smithy! But I never heard of the barefoot boy with cheeks of tan. I’m glad you liked the photography. I look for the best ones I can find for my blog. I’ve got posts coming up Friday and Saturday that have very interesting photos. I hope you’ll drop by to enjoy them.
pennycoho
November 19, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Hi Marcella, the poet was John Greenleaf Whittier, turned out to be a favorite of mine! I will drop by for a visit thank you for inviting me!
Marcella Rousseau
November 19, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Whoops, I meant Thursday and Friday!
diannegray
November 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Beautiful (yet scary) post, Penny. The way the human race is wasting and damaging the earth is horrific. The earth will certainly survive (I have no doubt in my mind of that) but we won’t. When she’s sick of us she’ll just abort us all, unfortunately.
I planted 24 trees yesterday and loved every minute of it!
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:30 pm
You know that is what’s so funny in an interesting sort of way Dianne, most of us know this already. So I will keep hoping and thinking positive. Oh and …Yay! The 24 trees! Yay you! A great feeling huh!
4amWriter
November 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
It broke my heart to have to cut down most of the pines in our backyard, but they are the majestic pine, and they grow to be quite tall, therefore quite unstable. After a storm a couple of years ago, a lot of pines fell onto the houses in our neighborhood. It’s a terrible, expensive risk.
However, the bright side to this was that once we cut down the pines, small maple trees were revealed. They’d been struggling to grow underneath the pine trees’ canopy. Now they have the backyard all to themselves, and it’s a lovely sight. Trees are beautiful, I love living in a place where they are abundant.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:26 pm
That sounds like a win-win then, regarding the regrowth of the maple trees that are so beautiful. Me too, I grew up surrounding by trees in Oregon. So green, so just plain wonderful, I agree totally!
Amy
November 18, 2012 at 9:33 am
it’s frightening to see how people waste natural resources. I often worry about how the wasted electronic gadgets are managed since the life cycle is only two or three years…
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:37 am
Yes it is. Defying logic, honestly Amy. There is a very simple phrase that comes to mind. So very simple but huge in it’s true meaning. “Waste not, Want not! Thank you my friend for caring and being concerned! Penny
LuAnn
November 18, 2012 at 7:36 am
I too am a tree hugger. It saddens me to see the disregard by so many of this beautiful place we call our home. What kind of a planet will we be leaving future generations? Just a little awareness by all of us could cause a wonderful shift in the world but will it ever happen? How can we deny global warming and what is happening to our planet at our very hands? Regardless, I will continue to do what I can to nurture this earth as she has given us so much bounty. Can you tell I feel pretty strongly about his topic? Thanks for the post Penny.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:17 am
Yes you do LuAnn and it is heartening to read you words and feel your spirit of love for our planet – all wonderful things. Change of habits is a very difficult thing for humans. But I am hopeful that there is a positive “tipping point” in the human mentality towards the value of all life before Mother nature decides it for us! And I know you also feel this way my most special friend, we are alike in many ways!
LuAnn
November 18, 2012 at 10:52 am
I will consider that a compliment.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Nut, but since you meant that sincerely I will thank you dear friend! Still…:)
Alice
November 18, 2012 at 7:24 am
I hope that sign is not prophetic…one tree. Habitat, oxygen, cleansing, beauty, Oh, trees provide so many things. This is filed away in my brain–probably not verbatim (1970s–old Rod McKuen):
How right and real the Christmas tree
in the middle of the town.
Somehow it seemed more real and right
before they cut it down.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:13 am
I agree Alice. Funny how we (humans) take life (anything that lives) so for granted that we waste it at every turn (with great enthusiasm I must say). A true sadness. I stay hopeful however, it is needed. Hope and change for all of us. Thank you for your wise words.
lenwilliamscarver
November 18, 2012 at 4:25 am
Wonderful post I too hug trees!
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:05 am
That should be a saying I think Len “Have you hugged a tree today?” A good thing!
lenwilliamscarver
November 18, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Yes it is a good thing? And by the way I did hug a tree today I was trying to place a string of lights in it’s branches slipped and fell into it , so I said “self hug the tree and self did”
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Well that’s up close and personal isn’t it? ha, ha. Sorry I hope it was a gentle falling into Len!
sharechair
November 18, 2012 at 4:25 am
Great post. Our planet is fragile and we are upsetting the balance. I know that people are talking about it, but I think they should be screaming about it. Very concerning.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:04 am
Sigh, (that was a big one – did you hear it. lol) We (me included) take so very much for granted that I think our planet will change before we do! You are so correct, it is concerning to a huge degree.
anelephantcant
November 18, 2012 at 1:39 am
AnElephantCant disagree here
A tree is a wonderful sight
But please be aware
When hugging take care
Because its bark may be worse than its bite!
Your point is valid and, as always, well made.
We are upsetting the balance of our world and giving it no time or opportunity to self-adjust.
It is already too late for many species of flora and fauna, and we are wiping out more and more on a daily basis.
The destruction of AnElephant’s habitat is a greater threat to his survival than murder by ivory poachers.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:58 am
Thank you. Your words are so true. Well spoken my friend!
viviankirkfield
November 17, 2012 at 11:48 pm
When I was in 2nd grade (over half a century ago), I stood up in front of the auditorium and recited “Trees”…so I smiled when I saw your post.
We have not been good caretakers of this planet…and that does not bring a smile to my face. Thank you for your post…I hope everyone is listening.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 9:56 am
I have hope Vivian. If just a few listen and do and then tell others and so on, perhaps there will be a positive change. My goal anyway. Thank you very much!
viviankirkfield
November 18, 2012 at 10:29 am
We do have to have hope…I’m an incredibly optimistic person…but a realist as well…my message to parents to participate positively with their kids is one I spread on a daily basis.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 10:42 am
Yes it is. There is absolutely everything right with being realistic about what is happening in the world and optimistic at the same time, the two make for a wonderful partnership I think, you do it well!
viviankirkfield
November 18, 2012 at 12:02 pm
সাহাদাত উদরাজী
November 17, 2012 at 11:39 pm
The Dalai Lama said once, “We” humans, would not go into our own homes and throw all of our household furniture we need everyday into a fire we would use only once, so why do we do this to the furnishings of our home – the planet Earth.
hese are good and important things to be aware of and changes to be made, as we can, each in our own way. We can make a difference, positive change adds up, always! Don’t you feel the planet’s pain? I do and if you don’t already, try and you will too! We are the guardians. Our responsibility! Ours!
- You are right. Nice thinking.
pennycoho
November 18, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Thank you Udraji, I appreciate your words very much. This is a subject of great importance to me, as are all living things on our planet, Penny
Alastair
November 17, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Although I in no way condone the use of drugs in any shape or form, I once took LSD, and I saw the energy of the trees. It was a magnificent sight to behold. Not something I would ever do again though It was a great many years ago and I still have nightmares about the rest of that evening.
But I digress. We have a problem with some of our trees at the moment, the Ash are being wiped out due to a disease, and it may not be long until they are all gone. I can’t help but think that we are the cause of it, and it is natured way of chastising us as a parent does a child.
pennycoho
November 17, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Very wise of you to think so. Just because we have opposable thumbs and a brain that helps us think and emote does not mean we even begin to comprend our relationship with this planet (actually we don’t). I’m guessing there is energy out there that we have not even fathomed yet. (that we are connected to!
Alastair
November 18, 2012 at 2:34 am
I believe you are right. Humanity thinks it is the driving force of this planet, where in fact we are just along for the ride.
RoSy
November 17, 2012 at 10:41 pm
It’s like we’re forcing plastic surgery on the planet & the planet is not taking well to it – like a surgical rejection.
xx
Love, Hugs & Trees!
xx
pennycoho
November 17, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Thanks Rosy, I agree, and I actually love to hug trees! Silly me!
xox
RoSy
November 17, 2012 at 10:52 pm
LOL – When my son went to DC on his 8th grade field trip – he hugged a huge tree. When I saw that pic – it cracked me up. I still smile when I see it. He’s so silly.
Trees are great to hug though
pennycoho
November 17, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Thanks I feel better now!
greenlightlady
November 17, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I love trees and forests! Thank you for reminding us to respect the lungs of our planet.
Blessings ~ Wendy
pennycoho
November 17, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Most definitely my pleasure on this one Wendy! Thank you dear friend!