Out on the Limb

by Ronald Edwards   Aug 25, 2010


In the corner
of a yard
there stands a tired old tree.

No leaves, no fruit,
the branches scarce.
Sap flows but just barely.

Scrub brush growing
with some weeds,
vines are on the trunk.

Litter thrown
about its plot,
strewn with discarded junk.

Laughter lost
within the wind,
broken swing holds still.

No longer found
down on the ground
Blue Jays or Whippoorwill.

Boughs once strong
with foliage green
did shield the mighty sun.

Providing shade
about the glade
for children having fun.

Days of grandeur
long since gone,
a cord soon to become.

Cast iron hearth,
black arms of girth,
hot ambers will succumb.

Was it by chance
upon the day
when woodmans ax drew near,

that wind did blow,
thrashed to and fro,
deadwood broke free and clear?

As if a surgeons
skillful hand
had prune away the chaff.

Did needed sculpture
cutting deep,
left standing merely half?

Heavens parted
with beams of light,
a genesis began.

Possibilities emerged
like sprouts
in planters pan.

From once what was
a lifeless growth,
new hope began to brim.

Blossomed forth
fresh fruit and leaves
now found out on the limb.

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Latest Comments

  • 14 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    As I read this poem a life cycle of tree came to mind. Its like everything is lost but from a little thing life sprouts..giving hope. Liked it :)

  • 14 years ago

    by Ronald Edwards

    Thank you both for reading and commenting, One of these days I'll tell more about this write and what it means , but till then always have faith and hope, if you do all is not lost and all can be reborn.
    peace
    Ron

  • 14 years ago

    by Sunshine

    This had realy cold medium u knw...gave me this cloudy winter view..
    so sad..and full of suffering..where flipped from image to another broken one.

    felt as if someone lost...ghosty..just was deeply written..deep enough to turn the real mood of the reader over...but allow me to choose my fav :

    Laughter lost
    within the wind,
    >>> how amazing this image it self is
    broken swing holds still.
    >>> waw..inspiring TRust me

    then..i loved this :

    No longer found
    down on the ground
    Blue Jays or Whippoorwill.>>> gr8 gr8 line !!