Wollemi Pine
A life well lived14 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
A beautiful and emotional Rhyming Poem Craig, about this lovely Wollemi Pine, still growing on and the lives of those that live and lived close by. Tony and I were given a Daintree Pine a couple of years back for our 50th anniversary, unfortunately soon after Tony passed I am now struggling to keep the tree alive I hope my tree can flourish like this Wollemi.
Loved this one, even through my tears,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2020
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A beautiful and emotional Rhyming Poem Craig, about this lovely Wollemi Pine, still growing on and the lives of those that live and lived close by. Tony and I were given a Daintree Pine a couple of years back for our 50th anniversary, unfortunately soon after Tony passed I am now struggling to keep the tree alive I hope my tree can flourish like this Wollemi.
Loved this one, even through my tears,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 21-Sep-2020
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2020
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Hi Valda,
I'm sorry if the poem brought back sadness from your recent loss.
Hopefully some of the happier memories I hoped it would remind us of have helped balance that a bit.
I posted this on Facebook on the anniversary of the passing of my father-in-law, a couple of weeks after it was posted here.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the delightful rating.
I believe, that as time goes by, the sadness becomes less frequent and the fond memories more prominent. I hope this will prove true for you.
Cheers,
Craig
Comment from trimple
Dear Craig
I had never heard of this particular tree before now. What a wonderful name for an Austalian tree. I'm glad to read that the authorities had considered this rare beaut and at one point, thought an instinct species but had the good sense to sell to the public in order to help it propagate and flourish once more,
Your jeweler... now I loved how you used his craft and the polishing of stones and likened his skills to tending his family /children. He sounds like the salt of the earth, Craig.
The tree that runs through your poem and pulls it all together is simply fabulous and I only wish I could write half as well as this.
A truly lovely poem
Much love
tracey
The
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2020
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Dear Craig
I had never heard of this particular tree before now. What a wonderful name for an Austalian tree. I'm glad to read that the authorities had considered this rare beaut and at one point, thought an instinct species but had the good sense to sell to the public in order to help it propagate and flourish once more,
Your jeweler... now I loved how you used his craft and the polishing of stones and likened his skills to tending his family /children. He sounds like the salt of the earth, Craig.
The tree that runs through your poem and pulls it all together is simply fabulous and I only wish I could write half as well as this.
A truly lovely poem
Much love
tracey
The
Comment Written 17-Sep-2020
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2020
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Thanks for the very lovely and generous comments, Tracey, and the stellar rating. I ended up changing this quite a bit before I published it a week or so ago on Facebook, on the anniversary of his death. I wasn't entirely happy with a couple of the word choices, and thought the meter could be improved in one spot. In any case, the family were happy with it :)
Most grateful,
Craig
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Afternoon, Craig
Well, I can tell you that my experience of reading what is written here, had the hairs stand up along my arms. Stunning work.
A truly fabulous poem.
Comment from damommy
I like how you've used the tree to show a man's life. Shaping his children like gems was a wonderful thought. Very touching picturing the woman standing and remember the man she loved who is now gone. An excellent poem that I enjoyed reading.
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2020
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I like how you've used the tree to show a man's life. Shaping his children like gems was a wonderful thought. Very touching picturing the woman standing and remember the man she loved who is now gone. An excellent poem that I enjoyed reading.
Comment Written 03-Sep-2020
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2020
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Thank you for the very kind words, Yvonne. You totally got what I was trying to convey, for which I'm most grateful :)
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Oh, I'm so glad I got it. It was lovely.
Comment from catch22
Hi Craig, I really loved this story in a rhyming poem. It speaks to the ephemeral nature of life and how we must love in the moment with sincerity. That is enough for the narrator, who has made peace with his finitude.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2020
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Hi Craig, I really loved this story in a rhyming poem. It speaks to the ephemeral nature of life and how we must love in the moment with sincerity. That is enough for the narrator, who has made peace with his finitude.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2020
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Thank for for the lovely comments and the generous rating, Pam. I agree totally with your last observation. The very fact we are not immortal gives added importance to how we use the time we are given. This man chose wisely, I believe. Much appreciated, Craig
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you are very welcome. It is a sentiment I share. Whatever comes next or not, we must savor the moments of joy and be grateful to be there to experience it.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
This is a great entry for the contest. I enjoyed reading it. Your lines flow smoothly with great rhymes and super imagery. I could the man sitting there making those 'fine things,' his wife thinking back after he was gone, and the children that he (and his wife) taught so well of life's principles. They are examples of his lasting legacy. I have never heard or seen this species of tree. Your message is loud and clear--love lives on after the people or 'things' are gone. One still has those cherished memories.
Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2020
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This is a great entry for the contest. I enjoyed reading it. Your lines flow smoothly with great rhymes and super imagery. I could the man sitting there making those 'fine things,' his wife thinking back after he was gone, and the children that he (and his wife) taught so well of life's principles. They are examples of his lasting legacy. I have never heard or seen this species of tree. Your message is loud and clear--love lives on after the people or 'things' are gone. One still has those cherished memories.
Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 26-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2020
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Thanks for reviewing, Jan, and for the kind and thoughtful comments -- they are very much appreciated. I'm glad the message came through :) Cheers, Craig
Comment from Debbie Pope
I love your ballad style poem although it makes me a little sad because it seems so personal. I certainly hope that you have not experienced the significant loss that you describe.
What I like best is that you tell so many stories in rhymed verse. The story of the pine tree, the jeweler, his children, his wife, and then finally you connect it to all of us. It's a simple poem, with down to earth words, because a life well-lived is actually quite simple. We try to do the best that we can to care for others in the short time that we are given and, hopefully, live on in the memories of those that we touch.
It was such a nice surprise to see your name. I actually was just checking in with no intention of reviewing. I could not resist your rare offering. Is that your back yard? That tree is amazing.
Good job. You should post more.
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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I love your ballad style poem although it makes me a little sad because it seems so personal. I certainly hope that you have not experienced the significant loss that you describe.
What I like best is that you tell so many stories in rhymed verse. The story of the pine tree, the jeweler, his children, his wife, and then finally you connect it to all of us. It's a simple poem, with down to earth words, because a life well-lived is actually quite simple. We try to do the best that we can to care for others in the short time that we are given and, hopefully, live on in the memories of those that we touch.
It was such a nice surprise to see your name. I actually was just checking in with no intention of reviewing. I could not resist your rare offering. Is that your back yard? That tree is amazing.
Good job. You should post more.
Comment Written 24-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Hi Debbie, lovely to hear from you.
I was looking yesterday after posting the poem to see if your name was mentioned in the many unread emails sitting in my inbox. But in the several pages of them, there was no notification you'd posted anything. I guess you have had other priorities as well. Hopefully it's not a lack of inspiration. That can be frustrating when you really would like to put pen to paper - I know this from experience!
The picture is taken from the internet. The real tree is in my mother-in-law's back yard. My better half and I gave it to them some years ago, when it was just a tiny sapling. They really were thought extinct, then some time back a few specimens were discovered in a secret location, which is only known to a few people. Various businesses were granted authority to propagate them and sell to the public, in order to try and bolster their numbers.
Thanks for the lovely review, and the generous rating! Stay safe and well.
Cheers,
Craig
Comment from Ulla
Hi Craig, so very true. We are here but for a short while, but meanwhile we remember and cherish what we had and what we still have. Your poem seems to reflect my mood tonight. Thanks for sharing. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Hi Craig, so very true. We are here but for a short while, but meanwhile we remember and cherish what we had and what we still have. Your poem seems to reflect my mood tonight. Thanks for sharing. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 24-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Thanks very much, Ulla, for the kind words. Much appreciated, as always. Craig
Comment from Teri7
Craig, This is a very beautiful and well written rhyming poem you have penned for the contest. I love the art work you chose. That's a beautiful tree. Best wishes in the contest. Teri
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Craig, This is a very beautiful and well written rhyming poem you have penned for the contest. I love the art work you chose. That's a beautiful tree. Best wishes in the contest. Teri
Comment Written 24-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Thank you Teri, I appreciate the lovely words. I have been thinking about you, and Tom. Hoping you would come out the other side without bad effects, and it seems you have. Well done :)
Comment from Bill Schott
This poem, Wollemi Pine, set together with a teasing rhyme and rhythm, takes the reader through this send up to a family man, whose life and love are channeled through the touchstone Wollemi Pine. Nice.
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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This poem, Wollemi Pine, set together with a teasing rhyme and rhythm, takes the reader through this send up to a family man, whose life and love are channeled through the touchstone Wollemi Pine. Nice.
Comment Written 24-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Thanks for reviewing, Bill. I'm not really sure what you mean by "teasing" and "send up". It's not meant to be humorous, if that's how you interpreted it. Cheers, Craig
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Just words.
Comment from zanya
A beautiful tree of which I have never heard -one of the joys of a writing site, learning something new and embedded with a heart-warming tale of 'a life well lived'- thanks for sharing
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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A beautiful tree of which I have never heard -one of the joys of a writing site, learning something new and embedded with a heart-warming tale of 'a life well lived'- thanks for sharing
Comment Written 24-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020
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Thanks for the kind words, they are very much appreciated. Craig
