The tree guys were here today
clearing, cutting ,and burning on site
Hawthorn, Box,Fat Ivy which strangled
the old fruit trees
When they left I asked if there was
any risk from leaving lit fires
with expected high winds tonight
no no said tree guy
I wouldn't leave it if there was
in fact a good wind will help it burn down
He is right of course
and now it is raining
so there will be no Californian
brush fire
no embers on the roof
But it has stayed lit
in driving rain
it burns
like a distant beacon
on a far hill
perhaps the resin from the dead Quince
keeps it alive
A Viking funeral for neglected trees
Perhaps it is the ghost of a fire
which burned in the Iron age
the howling of the wind
the howling of wolves
Comments
scratch | December 12, 2011 - 22:42
Third stanza onward exponentially better, totally different plane from the introduction (which is also good).
"But it has stayed lit
In driving rain"
A real portent for the strength of feeling and the sense of intrigue at the finale. Thanks.
scratch | December 12, 2011 - 23:09
But then again, I am thinking that the third stanza onward would not have the impact without the first two - forget my previous comment, sorry.
scratch | December 12, 2011 - 23:10
Congratulations on the cherries by the way - it was inevitable.
fatboy74 | December 12, 2011 - 23:11
Great poem (and comment from scratch) I love the transition from the everyday at the beginning to the mythical imaginings where the poem ends. Really good. :-)
camilla | December 13, 2011 - 09:00
Thanks for comments. I always end up writing something very late at night when I am nearly asleep. I should write things "somewhere else first"
to try to make a coherent idea er coherent.I end up just doing it so it meanders where it wishes to meander.
When son visits at Christmas I will ask him to help me with the computer so I can write things "somewhere else first". I don't understand the "private files" thing and putting things in folders on my computer is hell. The only way I can ever find things is by putting them on my desktop.
I'm sure other people manage differently. Perhaps I should just stick to quill and ink.
Silver Spun Sand | December 13, 2011 - 09:03
Camilla - this is a gem of a poem. A joy to read, and I too like the transition between the mundane and the mythological.
And by the way, I'm with you on the 'desktop'. If it ain't broke, why fix it, as they say?;-)
Tina
RachelPatricia | December 13, 2011 - 12:23
Wonderful, camilla - very much enjoyed :)
shyrewode | December 13, 2011 - 21:20
Love the imagery here. You can almost see the camera pulling away from a close-up in the first two stanzas, to a sweeping aerial wide shot for the finale!