Photo: the majestic Karri trees at Boranup.
The dVerse Prosery is hosted this week by Merril and the line to use is “These memories were left here with the trees.” from ‘How to Write a Poem in a Time of War.” by Jo Harjo. Using that line create a piece of prose of 144 words.
I Wonder
I wonder what happened here before I am. This one tree might speak of so much. But what might a forest speak? A grove of knowledge no cloud could carry, a living intelligence that pales Plato, or the vast paucity of philosophy. Each bole a reliquary of life’s passage, each annual ring a repository of a truth greater that the sum of what we call knowledge. O to be grounded in the strength of your heartwood and risk the sky, or to shelter in your caress and know love, to know what you know, to sup from your fount. Evanescent, history passes, held by your compassionate gaze. Of owls and wars, lovers and seasons, for each an ossuary caringly covered by your blankets and, until the one who knows as you know, that only love uncovers, these memories were left here with the trees.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com.
parallax 
Beautiful, as always, but I feel the same about trees.
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Yes that mutuality of feeling, wonderful.
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Yup😊
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Beautiful indeed.
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Many thanks Francis.
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This is wonderful. Very beautifully crafted
X
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Thank you so much.
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This is beautifully penned, Paul. It made me remember Joyce Kilmer’s poem about trees. 😉
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Very kind, thank you Winnie, nice connection, hallowed ground.
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You’re welcome, Paul.
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Beautiful, poetic prose. We cannot appreciate our trees enough.
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Thank you so much Chris, yes, we need to do more for trees.
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So thought provoking and wonder filled! Once again, you make me get out my dictionary. What a treasure trove of words.
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Thank you so much for that, not sure if I should rejoice or apologise, lol, but I love words 🙂
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I believe the best gift you can give a writer is a new word. So, I say, thank you.
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🙂
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Beautifully written. Tree our hoarder of memories.
“of owls and wars, lovers and seasons, for each an ossuary caringly covered by your blankets “
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So much that trees hold, thank you so much Megha.
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I think we often wonder what stories have occurred under those elements of nature obviously aged.
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Beautiful!
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Many thanks 😀
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You’re welcome
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I think perhaps they share some of what they know as the wind gently moves branches and rustles leaves. If only we could translate their whispers.
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Yes, some rely on each other’s roots too, yes, if only we could. Thank you so much Sandy.
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You are most welcome, Paul.
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I think we need to become tree whisperers to understand their heartwood hum,
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We surely do Bjorn, thank you for sharing that.
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This resonates deeply. It captures the wonder and relationship with trees. I’m reading The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben!
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Goose bumps, the timing, how lovely, thank you for sharing that Dawn.
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You’re welcome! Check out my post on grass trees. You may recognise the area between Perth and Jurien Bay. If you haven’t been here (near Nilgen Reserve), you must stop sometime. I’m sure you would love it.
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Thank you Dawn, I’ve been consumed by work and haven’t been keeping up with my feed so I have missed a many, so I will.
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Likewise. Take care.
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Thank you, you too.
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poignantly beautiful prose and stunning shot!
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I do love that forest very much, thank you for sharing those thoughtful words Kate.
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not just the forest but your lighting is stunning, highlights those trunks!
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Provokes thought of not only time passed by but also of current time.
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Many thanks 🙂
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A great reminiscence on the past, Paul! I always wondering about what the old trees must have seen over the decades and centuries. They are our testemonies or a future life too. Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you Michael, yes, what tales they could tell.
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“these memories were left here with the trees.” — expressed so beautifully why some of us love to “read” trees.
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Yes, there are those of us who love to do that reading, to tune in to what they know, thank you Amy for this heartfelt response.
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Thank you, Paul. Your eloquent words always make your readers to think a little bit more or deeper…
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And I do try to aim for that depth, that thoughtful inner level. Thank you Amy.
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Yes, they do!
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Thank you Liz for sharing that.
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Excellent writing Paul ! Good use of the prompt line. Enjoyed reading this. Trees are the sentries, historuans, and philosophers of the planet. If only we were smart enough to understand them.
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I fear we’re not that smart to even listen, yes, I love your description, I feel that too, thank you for sharing your response Rob.
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Yes what a interesting line of thought – to consider what the trees hold in memories – amazing poem
>
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Well we sure believe they can speak, need more to listen.
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Lovely and lyrical!
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Thank you so much for that Liz.
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A most lyrical reflection, Paul. I love trees, too. I think they must harbor many memories. Thank you for joining in.
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Thank you for the opportunity Merril, enjoyed it so much.
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I’m so pleased that you did!
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