“A tree grows in Brooklyn”
(a novel by Betty Smith)
It breaks through the asphalt,
looking for the sunshine
Watching sadness and despair,
of people wandering the streets
The homeless and nameless,
seeking a place to sleep
And the branches reach up,
to protect the roots firmly fastened
Leaves capture the rain,
released from the clouds
While the wetness soaks the pavement,
glistening in the streetlights
In the Brownstone
A husband and wife are arguing over,
whiskey drinking and absences
Sad children hiding behind bedroom doors
All the while the tree survives …
Red Wolf Journal Spring 2014, and a fresh start
10 years ago
Posts
Masterful imagery - very visual.
ReplyDeleteGood rhythm to this poem Pamela.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. I so loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when I was a girl. Love the contrast between the fleeting lives being lived under the tree's branches,the sad children in the house, the tree enduring. Wonderfully full of images and so well written.
ReplyDeleteI really like this - so much is considered ugly in our world without the second look, which, if given, surely would show at least some form of beauty behind the perceived ugliness...
ReplyDeletePamela,
ReplyDeleteI love your poem. I too have recently written a poem about the tree in my front garden.
My own poem for the prompt, includes the homeless theme.
I like the idea of your tree, 'bearing witness' to the events of the day.
Best Regards,
Eileen
The tree survives, the tree sees and knows. The tree is silent.
ReplyDeleteNicely written poem!
nice contrast between the world we create and the beauty that awaits our awakening...blessings...bkm
ReplyDeleteI love trees and I love this poem~ I tend to notice things, others done~ This was lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for the nice comments. I have been busy with friends for the past couple of days.
ReplyDeletePamela