Resplendent in your dress of gold,
Lifting your arms to the birds of the air.
Tall and proud, stunning and bold,
Never a worry, never a care.
Oh maple tree touched by the sun,
Are you aware that one day soon
Your leaves will drop and you’ll be bare?
That snows and bitter winds will come
Bringing silence and quiet as winter’s tune.
Do you know, or do you care?
Note: This is written as a Horatian Ode, a poem with meter and rhyme, praising a person, animal, or object. The “object” is a Sugar Maple photographed in late afternoon sunlight.
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Debbie, is this tree in your yard? What a beauty. I love trees any time of year but in autumn they really deliver, don’t they? I don’t think they care about winter’s stripping power because they know it’s temporary…and like us, that spring will come again.
It is, Barb! And this is as pretty as it’s ever looked. We had a tree close by it that we needed to take out, and this maple got kind of scrunched in the process, leading us to fear it never would survive. Somehow, it’s put our fears to rest.
Beautiful tree and poem.
Thank you, John. Truly humbling that you found my words effective!
🙂
Really lovely and well done!
Thanks so much, Cindy. Both for visiting and for saying such nice things!
Love the poem! Being a bit of a traditionalist I do like poems with metre (sorry, have to use the UK English spelling!) and rhyme, and that actually allow the reader to know what they’re about! And I like how you did the rhyming in this one… 😀
Why did we Americans have to change the King’s English, FF?? Anyway, I’m glad you found this one interesting, and I appreciate your stopping by to tell me so!
Very nice one! I’m thinking the tree is proud when dressed in gold, like you said. Then he gets horribly humbled when the snow comes. Or, he just goes to sleep.
Thank you, Professor! I think you’re right, you know. This tree did look proud of its gold dress, and I imagine it will be cold when its leaves are stripped off. Probably a good time to hibernate so it doesn’t have to face the world bare!
I just realized something. Your lovely poem about this tree — quite gorgeous, as a matter of fact — shares a quality common to many autumn poems. That is, it’s about the tree. What about those poor leaves, lying on the ground? I’m not sure I’ve ever read a poem written from the perspective of the leaves! The poor babies are an afterthought, it seems!
I’m so glad it survived the injuries it suffered. It is the very essence of autumn tree. It’s beautiful, and so is your poem.
Linda, you’re absolutely right! I guess I was of the mind that the leaves, once fallen, are a bit of a nuisance, and as I’ve mentioned before, I really dislike the chore of raking them! Say, why don’t you pen something in honor of the fallen leaves? I’d love to read it! (And if you need a photo — because yours are probably sopping wet by now! — just holler, and I’ll send whatever color you’d like!!)
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m still pinching myself that this tree not only has survived, but thrived. Of course, most of its leaves are on the ground as of today, and the wind is blowing them from one side of the yard to the other. We’re expecting a cool, wet spell this coming week — that should knock a larger percentage down. Stay safe in Patricia’s wake!
Beautiful tree. Lovely poem. And I bet it’s ready to rest for the winter after giving it’s finest production of the season. Leaves, I collected a bunch and mailed them to friends that are always dreaming of fall. . For free. With humor.
We’ve had a glorious fall, Kb, and I’m sure your friends are appreciative of the free leaves — and NOT having to bag them or rake them, ha! Our area banned leaf-burning many years ago. Now folks just let ’em blow. I guess they make good mulch over the winter months, but until they settle someplace, they make for a messy sight! Thanks for the lovely compliments!
That is a beautiful tree! Fall colors are eye catching and always get my attention. They are like the finale at a 4th of July fireworks show…. the last hurrah before things go quiet.
After putting on such a spectacular show, they sort of deserve a break, don’t they, Janna? I imagine they’re looking forward to being wrapped in snow, rather than standing around bare, too!
Beautiful tree and a lovely poem!
Thanks, Terri. Glad to know they both hit the target!
Hellooooooo there Debbie!
I am slowly making my way back to blogging, so I wanted to stop and say HI and also catch up on your latest post. BEEEEEAUTIFUL poem! And I also love your photograph. Yesterday I took my camera outside and took a bunch of photographs of the trees changing color. It’s been rather warm here the past two months, so the color change isn’t as vibrant as it’s been in past years.
Still, I LOVE this time of the year!
Hope all is well, dear friend!
Have a super-duper week!
X to you and Dallas!
Ron, I’ve missed you and your sunny presence! I do hope you’ll find your way back to blogging, even if it’s not as often as before.
Thank you for your lovely words. Glad you liked the poem and photo. Would you believe that now, this tree is practically naked?? Time flies so fast at this time of year — probably because Fall is one of my favorite seasons!
Dallas sends you a hearty woof. Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous week!
Lovely!
She cares! She cares!! xxxx
Thanks, Kim. I think so, too! xoxo