Well, it doesn’t happen often but I managed to be blindsided by a bit of Pablo Neruda motivated poetry inspiration.  Although there is something morbidly fitting that death is the subject matter.  Anyway, without further ado here is a poem dedicated to a dying oak tree at Mount Hermon. . .

Ode to the Death of an Old Friend

do you know you are dying
you don’t look like you are
you look strong and healthy
your branches like arms
stretching to the heavens
maybe you are already on your way

do you feel the changes
maybe you are confused
maybe you think autumn is coming early
that it is the world
which is changing
not you

maybe you know
maybe you have heard
in the whispers of your visiting friends
in the feigning glances of passers-by
or in the wet eyes of your neighbors
or maybe you just know
as sometimes people do

take heart and know you will be missed
it may not be much comfort
but we will celebrate your last days
sit in your shade
and watch you sway in the cool breeze
and we will curse the sweet smelling assassin
who brought your demise

farewell old friend
you are leaving much too soon

Filed under: life by Jonathan