Featured Poem: Bare Branches

By Lorraine Walker Williams
Member-at-large, California and Florida

 

Have nothing to hide,

they are truth-tellers.

 

Keep promises that leaves will appear

season after season, year after year.

 

Are patient and allow blossoms

to unfurl before their litter of leaves.

 

Sometimes break under pressure

from wind and ice, but they put that

behind them and go on.

 

Aspire to be more than twigs,

creating nature’s sculpted art.

 

Provide a place for a swing to hang

or a child to climb.

 

Welcome a bird to perch

or a pair to nest.

 

Set a boundary between earth and sky

their shadows laze upon winter snow.

9 comments

  1. Andrea Walker says:

    Everything has a purpose, doesn’t it? I love this poem and your imagery–much to contemplate.

  2. Mary Broderick says:

    Very glad to start National Poetry Month with Bare Branches. The visuals Lorraine wrote give a picture of a tree and a human life. Thank you for this.

  3. Karen Morris says:

    A poem worthy of all the various ways bare branches intrigue us in the leafless months. They do indeed “create nature’s sculpted art,” and what a beautiful final image, of their shadows lazing on snow. Lovely tribute.

  4. Claire Massey says:

    Oh, to live with the patience of a tree! Their faith in spring seems always rewarded.
    Thank you, Lorraine.
    Claire Massey
    NLAPW Poetry Editor

  5. Beautiful poem Lorraine. Thank you for sharing. Loved your stanza, “Sometimes break under pressure – from wind and ice, but they put that behind them and go on.” We have much to learn from trees and the natural world … if we only open or eyes and hearts more. Blessings and Happy Easter!

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