Let's Make Believe

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 314 reads
20 comments
 

Dear diary...

Unexpectedly showing up

carved into beautiful wood,

I can't help thinking there

lies the beginning of an

emerging poem.

 

I found this charmed creation

a mysterious formulated vision

of Wonderland, developed from

mind filled with inspired energy.

 

Figure appears almost abandoned;

rigid, entwined with rambling ivy;

yet assembled for slithering motion

most strange.

 

Notable eyes appear dreamlike,

preoccupied with weird and

ethereal, symbolic construction;

allure of make believe.

 

Photo is my own.

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Dear Diary
Biography
Nature
Journal

Comments

Submitted by GlosKat on

That's lovely Jenny, there's something magical about coming across the repesentation of a creature in such an unexpected place.  You've captured the atmosphere perfectly.

There's a walk I do regularly on the north side of Cirencester where there's a long dead upright tree trunk next to a stile.  I went up there one time and somebody had carved it into a sort of totem pole with an eagle like head.  Over time, the tree trunk has been covered with ivy, and you can't see the eagle any more, but I love the thought that he's still hidden underneath there, waiting.

 

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Kat,

the first time I saw this creation made out of wood I went straight to Alice In Wonderland, the way whoever created the body in layers made it look like it was slithering, and the face blew me away, I just had to take a photo and write a poem, I'm over the moon you liked it.

It was interesting to hear of your encounter with the totem pole. These wood sculpures are spectacular when you think of the hours of effort that goes into making them.

Many thanks for sharing your story. It was kind of you to read mine and let me know you liked.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

What a wonderful thing to come across Jenny!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It certainly was wonderful insert, I was blown away at the imagination of whoever created this strange creature.

Many thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

"..a mysterious formulated vision

of Wonderland"

Full of intrigue and wonder. That's what nature is all about. 

Adventure encapsulated in a lovely poem, Jenny. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You're right about nature being full of intrigue and wonder Paul, 

Alice In Wonderland sprung to mind straight away.

Glad you liked and thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

"rigid, entwined with rambling ivy;

yet assembled for slithering motion

most strange."

Jenny's wonderful poem inspired by a woodcarving is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm over the moon to get pick of the day Di. you've certainly made my day.

I really appreciate your thoughts on those lines and also thank you so much for reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

It is magical, Jenny, your poem is playful enough to do it justice. It's hard to create art which blends into a natural setting without jarring but this carving look perfectly in place and was clearly made by somebody who loves nature. A mind filled with inspired nature.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jane, sorry I've taken so long to reply to your kind comment, I've been out most of today. To know you thought this poem was magical and playful is music to my ears. I've had so much fun with this poem and to know it's appreciated is so wonderful.

Thank you so much for reading and letting me know it worked.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by celticman on

weird is sometime good. But not always. 

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Dree my weird is always good.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

i have to say that I do love weird Jack, it sums up everything that inspires me, but like you say isn't always understood by everyone, but I do have to be true to myself.

I appreciate your thoughts and thank you for reading this poem and your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It is lovely to see the effort and skill in making use of dead trunks or fallen logs isn't it? And the enjoyment had and given to those stumbling on it. A local 'Gruffalo trail was made specially I suppose and some at least are painted for the children, but they don't have quite the mystery of the one like you describe,, but it is fun for the children and gets them exploring and walking quite a way!

We once came upon a beautiful carved old man in someone's garden. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Your right Rhiannon, it must take a lot of skill and time to create these masterpieces. I haave so much respect for these works of art.

I think the children must love that Gruffalo trail you are talking about, it sounds like fun. It was interesting hearing about the beautiful carved old man, that's so cool to have something so unique in the garden.

Anyone who creates with wood I respect. My dad did marquetry in his early twenties, I have about six pictures that he created.

Your story was appreciated and I'm grateful for your feedback.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

My Dad did some lovely marquetry too, he loved the different shades of wood making the picture. He tried his hands at various things to balance his daytime desk job! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Exactly the same as my dad. Because mum and dad didn't have much money when they got married, he became keen on creating those pictures, they used to have them on the wall above the stairs. My dad left them to me, but I don't display, I just keep them wrapped up and stored, mainly because the wall space is filled with other pictures, but I am proud of them.

Sounds like your dad was as talented as mine. Thank you for sharing this with me Rhiannon.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

There is a tributary of the Thames, called the Isis, which goes through my village.  One of the very old stone houses in the High Road had a dead tree right next to the river.  They got someone to come and carve it into a repesentation of Old Father Thames.  It's fantastically well done and so appropriate for where he is. We had crowds of tourists and the local paper come out to take photos when it was finished.  https://swindonlink.com/old-father-thames-carving-unveiled-at-ashton-keynes/

Your lovely poem has started a very interesting thread Jenny.  And congrats on POTD !

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Kat,

love that name Isis. I took a look at Old Father Thames. What a genius idea to create something so spectacular...he's a masterpiece. You must be so proud of where you live and to imagine all those tourists coming to see something so unique must make you even prouder.

I was so surprised to see the gold cherries, as I just had so much fun writing this poem and they were unexpected.

Many thanks for sharing the piece about your neck of the woods and thanks also for the congrats, I'm humbled.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - congratulations!