A wonderful film and quite a good poem as well now!
You're descriptive writing doesn't need me heaping praise on it - it's wonderful here as it always is.
I love the personification of this 'old gnarled tree'; I often come across such trees and will never look at them quite the same way again.
I appreciate the way this tree changes as you read - first as something dark to this wonderful, bruised and battered wonder, still standing despite the damage it took for this boy: it could have given up and given in to the pain wrought by the flames, but it continued to suffer and stand tall for him. Wonderful and will receive my nomination on Monday.
You now owe me two glasses of veno AND a cheese board for this multi-lined analysis on this blood.... rotten tablet!

All the best

Wow. Powerful and descriptive.
Like Ben I love the way the readers perception of the tree changes, as does the whole story as we read, from darkness to light.
A great write :)

I often wonder if trees could talk how many stories would there to be told. What all have they seen and been through. We often seek shelter under a big tree. Beautiful write. Take care

Michael, this is so beautiful! I love your analogy with the tree and a person. Wonderfully done! Take care-Brenda

A wonderful read Michael as always.

Goes to show we should never judge a book by its cover as just because someone has outer beauty doesn't mean they have inner beauty and vice versa. Love the dark to light turn in the piece.

Take care, Em

Wow! What amazing imagery and heroic story. I loved the layout of the stanzas and the ref to the trees branches being like charred bones. Simply laid out and an easy flow to follow. I'd just got used to you dynamic little short poems and the different layouts. then you hit us with a beautiful story :) Definitely another great poem Milly x

I have often reached out and touched the gnarled tracks on the trunks of ancient old trees, in my village in Kerala - tried to hug these mighty tall beings and always hope that i could hear the humming of their heart beats deep inside somewhere, they used to make me wonder about beauty of life,
but trees struck by lightning, bare of all leaves , burnt and charred trunks looks so haunting, It always leaves behind a feeling of a soul crying out in pain.

Your poem has erased that sad and grief stricken feeling and brought to life a new aspect of heroism, of love and of possibilities even in dark and stricken lives.

Very well written.
Enjoyed it

jay

I love the imagery and also the rhythm which seems so vivid in this poem! Everything seems to be placed just right for the story to come to life.

"The Oak knew only far too well
If it succumbed the boy would die,
so whilst the flames consumed its trunk,
its determination never sighed."

I feel like I can relate to this tree, which is wonderful for me. For I have never been a tree before. But, I know what it is like to not succumb to the death you want or deserve. What it is like to hold on when all seems lost. Simply because you have someone or something that needs you to live on, for them, or it.

What a beautiful story of love, strength and selflessness.
This could also be taken as an adult that has at last let go with a great struggle the haunting memories of a troubled or miss spent youth and the damaged body is the result of ultimately coming to terms with his youth. Well at least it relates like that to me.
Awesome write.

Oh wow wow wow wow what a beautiful tale!! This really touched something deep inside, and so beautifully written!! Definitely nominated!!!

Hello Sir Michael,

I like the way you describe the old Oak and the tale unfold with it...I can imagine it clearly...Elegantly written...

5/5

Gel