Thoughts From a Botanical Gardens Tree Hugger
I hug trees.
I like the large ones best.
First of all I hold my hand in close
feel the heat from its trunk
place my ear against its pulse
then stretch my arms around it
and murmur ‘Yggdrasil.’
But there is one tree in the gardens
surrounded by a fence.
The poles are black and shiny
the sign bright yellow.
“This red beech is declining’
it says ‘and may drop large branches
at any time. Please stay back.’
Reminds me of us humans
when we come of age.
Pop us in the bed
pull up the side rails.
‘This person is declining and may dribble
drop its food and other things
or toss its limbs about.
Please stay back.’
So I ask you when it’s my turn
remove the barriers
hug me
and whisper the word
‘Yggdrasil.’
The Botanical Gardens in Christchurch is one of my favourite places. I’m not there at present so not sure how this tree is going.
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If I haven’t entirely declined myself, I promise I will.
Your neatly crafted poem has an ache in it.
I like R S Thomas’s tree too:
‘Looking upon this tree with its quaint pretension
Of holding the earth, a leveret, in its claws,
Or marking the texture of its living bark.
A grey sea wrinkled by the winds of years…’
I like that excerpt Jane. Thankyou!
I’m an occasional tree hugger too. So sad that just when the beech could most use a hug, the barriers are up.
Yes I agree.
A proper welcome to Tuesday Poem, Helen – you had problems last week but there it is this week, where it should be, in the TP sidebar. Nice sentiments in the poem – it rejigs our thinking nicely. And yes, next time I’ll hug a tree.
Yes …choose a large tall one and stare upwards into its branches
Ah, yes, those dreaded fences. I’m sure they have their purpose, but I think your request is beautiful in its universality – a hug and a whisper of ‘Yggdrasil’. A perfect meditative poem – thank you for posting your poetry, Helen
Thanks Elizabeth. It’s a lovely word to whisper isn’t it. Yggdrasil.
Christchurch botanical gardens is one of my favourite places – particularly when the magnolias are in bloom. There are some spectacular trees – one with huge roots my little grandsons can climb inside like a tent. Last time I was there it was riven by great torn splits where the earthquake had roared through. I hope to be there again next year. Thanks for reminding me.
Aah yes…trees are so special for children aren’t they!
I will check out your tree for you, Helen, next time I am in the Gardens. Overall, they seem to be “doin’ alright.”
Hi Helen,
yes please say hello. I have been talking to the people at the gardens and they say it survived the earthquakes without apparent damage but is still declining…a natural thing due to old age.
Welcome to Tuesday Poems. This reminds me of a t-shirt I’ve seen which proudly announces ‘tree hugger.’
Thanks Harvey. The t-shirt sounds cool!