by Editor Wicher Bos (wicherbos)

Trees always had a special place in our communities. Sometimes with religious connotation as place to worship or to hold court and do justice… I suppose it is because of their long life and majestic appearance which almost automatically creates a humble feeling in ourselves. In fact, as the longest living species on earth, they give us a link between the past, present and future. As you may recognize in the ancestral trees, we sometimes build. A tree symbolizes togetherness and serves as a reminder that you are never alone or isolated, but rather that you are connected to the world. Moreover, trees are essential for life. They give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilize the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife. Many examples in literature and movies built on that idea. Think of the “Ents” in the Lord of the Rings, or “Ewa, the Tree of Life” in the Avatar-movie, to name just a few.

Joyce Kilmer, an American poet (1886-1918), in his most famous poem “Trees”, captured all these considerations and turned them into words.  (1913, this poem is in the public domain).

Trees

 I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Now that you read it, let me illustrate these words with some truly awesome images. So, let this poem conveniently serve as a canvas for this article, each two lines will be followed by some photo’s.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

'Weeping Cherry' by 7 Flavor C/P

'Morning at University of Washington' by Lydia Jacobs

'Tree of Light' by André Koschinowski

'Mt.fuji is in the autumn leaves' by Makiko Samejima

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

'tree of life' by Anja Buehrer

'Tree waiting for spring' by Kazuaki Koseki

'Ponthus' Beech' by Christophe Kiciak

'Tree no 493' by Khris Rino

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

'Tree of knowledge' by Ben Goossens

'Fog' by Jorge Feteira

'Greatness' by PhotoCosma

'A view of the tree crown' by Tom Pavlasek

'Tree Tops' by Ajven

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

'spring time' by Piotr Krol (Bax)

'Fantasy forest' by Kazuaki Koseki

'morning beauty' by Norbert Maier

'Robin on dreams' by Teuni

n/t by Selim Kaya

'Starlings with Berry' by Jacqueline Hammer

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

'Frozen Forest' by Martin Rak

'Cherry blossoms with snow' by Makiko Samejima

'Winter Song' by Sebestyen Bela

'the tree in the storm' by leonardo santoro

'fairy day' by Teruhiko Tsuchida

n/t by Teruhiko Tsuchida

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

'Dream landscape' by Stéphanie Vervault

'Tree in Salt' by Tzvika Stein

'Tree on hill during sunset' by Christian Lindsten

'Oak Tree in Four Seasons' by Jan Eric Krikke

'Point of View' by Christophe Kiciak

Hope you enjoyed this poetic journey, stay safe…
Wicher

You may find more poems from Joyce Kilmer here.