I’ve wondered round this earth for years,
And known my share of joys and tears.
I’ve laughed with love and cried for loss,
And broken dreams like rubbish tossed.
I’ve seen sights soaked in splendid sun
And bathed by moon when day was done.
But ’til today I’d not seen such
A sight that stirred my heart this much:
A giant, handsome, stately tree
Bedecked with ribbons midst the leaves.
Such gorgeous bows of silk, blood-red,
Tied as if on maiden’s head.
I stood and pondered what it meant:
This work of art to nature lent.
Who ties these bows, and why, I asked.
Who set himself this tedious task?
Some lover dreaming of soul-mate,
Who joyous love anticipates?
But there was none who, passing by,
Could tell me who, or how, or why.
And though I stood ’till set of sun
I found no answer; no, not one.
So on I trudged my weary way,
To reach my post by end of day.
But as I went, I sang a song:
Though much in this old world is wrong,
Still someone with a heart of love,
Took time and, with care, beauty wove –
Amidst the branches of old tree –
A gift of ribbons for all to see:
To lift the heart and light’n the load
Of each soul passing ‘long that road.
~~~
The Happy Wordcrafter 
Sounds lovely!
Been awhile now but, by Jove, I do believe Joyce has met his match! Great work!
Bill
I’ve always loved Joyce Kilmer’s poem, and have quoted it often. It’s sort of odd, now that you mention him, that I didn’t think about him once when I was doing this piece. That surprises me. But I was just fooling around in PicMonkey photo program and created the graphic first. So, naturally, I had to have a poem to go with it.
I’ve only written one poem in my entire life. Not an earth-shaking work, but one that I believe has something worthwhile to say. See what you think:
Witness the furor of the sea
As it beats relentlessly
Upon its rock-strewn shores
Fighting its never-ending wars
Much as we humans, when
We pit ourselves against all men
Never-ending wars. That seems to be what we do best…
Bill
It’s an interesting analogy, comparing the human race in conflict with the sea beating relentlessly against the shore. It seems that I remember some reference by Shakespeare that also used a metaphor comparing man in battle with the sea, but I can’t recall the details of it.
Wow, Sandra, you and Joyce and now me and Shakespeare, we’re destined for greatness! Tee hee…
Rule number one for all poets: Always hang out with the ‘cream of the crop.’
The mere mention of cream makes me think of chocolate peanut butter ice cream!
Very fine work Sandra!
Thank you. It was fun to do.
Nice poem Sandra.
Thanks, Dennis. It was fun to write.