merlin’s tree
planted from a seed wrapped in blood-soaked cloth
on the edge of a forest scarred by arrow
blind-told witness held by treachery
and stars
in the season of growth and green glory
each ring forged of gold
crowned by emerald
each year fed by tear
and ambition
each branch forced to sky
by the sap of lost soldier
broken lock
buried heart
bitter potion
taking root
in the foibles of sand
.
.
.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:41 am
First of all, this incredible photograph is surely a magical tree. The images in the poetry are vivid and mystical also. Inspiring, forevermore.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
yikes….this has a rather sinister undertone to it…almost like an incantation…hopefully we have not let too many soldiers die for ambition sake…
February 24th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
The thought of what can lie at the root of an old tree is both scary and mesmerizing… I like the way you build up to the a wizardry end of calling a spell upon the tree.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Quite possibly my favorite poem ever. Absolutely stunning.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
i have to re-read merlin – cannot really remember the story… there’s really a heaviness to this…the lost lives… the meaning of the tree…and how it grows and grows…too many lives lost… so sad
February 24th, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Mysterious and cloaked in magic. And the photo is fitting for the words.
February 24th, 2015 at 4:14 pm
First of all, I really like the photo; and second, what a creative take…and yes, a bit of treachery with that ‘bitter potion.’
February 24th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
I love “blind-told witness born of treachery and stars”. Very beautiful writing.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
I love the birthing of Merlin’s tree – blood-soaked, sap of lost soldier, bitter potion ~ Works well as metaphor too ~
February 24th, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Dark write… a seed wrapped in blood soaked cloth, the sap of a lost soldier… amazing imagery
February 24th, 2015 at 8:50 pm
taken from the darker side of Merlin’s story, and not the Disney side… ~
February 24th, 2015 at 11:33 pm
by the sap of lost soldier. Powerful as is that image!
February 25th, 2015 at 12:10 am
This is gripping: a slow reveal of a poem, with a strong rhythm and sound to it.
February 25th, 2015 at 1:38 am
The tree of war is never a happy one.. it grows and grows.. less green it goes.. until branches are left.. and heArts are stolen.. when roots are untethered and soul falls lone..in sanded lot where roots unfold… and tales untold…:)
February 25th, 2015 at 3:34 am
I love the way you have woven the shape of the tree into the text of your poem.
February 25th, 2015 at 5:38 am
the tree reminds me of nations born from the seed of hatred…
February 25th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Nice take on the dVerse prompt. And I like the picture that you put with it. I’m not sure that’s a tree I want to go anywhere near. Peace, Linda
February 25th, 2015 at 4:25 pm
And from the depth of the earth a tree was raised..and many fell as a spell was cast. A bit of darkness and light very mystical.
March 1st, 2015 at 3:13 pm
oooooooh….that is darkly and magically wonderful!