Comment from Scarbrems

Excellent

Aww, Craig, that's really heart felt. Love the notion of the craftsman shaping and polishing his children like gemstones. The constant of the tree is an effective device for pulling the whole together. Great stuff, Craig, good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2020

---

reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020

Thanks for the kind words and good wishes, Emma, they are much appreciated. My first post in quite some time -- I pulled myself away from binge watching Upstart Crow to compose it. I'm still debating with myself whether to join your fiction group. On the one hand, it might provide some inspiration which has been sorely lacking of late. On the other hand, if it doesn't, then I'll just stop contributing, and will feel like I'm letting the side down. I think it's a good thing you've kicked it off, though.

Cheers,
Craig

reply by Scarbrems on 24-Aug-2020

There's no obligation to contribute, Craig, we need readers as much as writers. The big problem with long pieces is getting people to read them, so as much of this group is about the reading as the writing, but even that would be a 'when you can' thing.
Are you enjoying 'Upstart Crow'?

reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020

Upstart Crow is awesome. I love David Mitchell. Really enjoy watching him on Would I Lie to You, which I think is one of the funniest things on TV.

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written rhyming poem telling a great story as bout a man and a tree. The Wollemi Pine in the backyard IDC the witness of the man's existence and his crafts of his hands still there.

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2020

---

reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020

Thank you, Sandra, for the kind comments; much appreciated. Craig

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Hi Craig! Good to see you back. Thank you for telling us about this loving and well loved man. And he still lives on in the memory of those who love him still. The pine tree is an interesting one but I couldn't quite connect the man to the tree except that the tree was in his yard. Some traditions plant trees upon a birth of a child.

One typo:
as cockatiels shreiked while engaging in spats (shrieked)

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2020

---

reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020

Hi Helen,

Thanks for pointing out the typo, much appreciated.

The tree was bought for him by his daughter (my partner), it was a much cherished gift. Originally, I had in mind that I would use the tree as an analogy, but then I decided against it, and chose simply to use it as a kind of focal point around which to wrap the verses; in my mind it represents life and growth and endurance.

It will be a year next month since he died. My intention is, if this poem is not too badly received, to share it with the family then.

Hope you are well.

Cheers, Craig

reply by lyenochka on 24-Aug-2020

It did sound like someone close to you. I am sure your family would be deeply touched by the poem!

Comment from equestrik

Excellent

This is a really neat write in that you weave the lives of this family around the fact of this wonderful tree. I really appreciate the creativity here and, of course, the tree.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2020

---

reply by the author on 24-Aug-2020

Thanks very much for the kind words. They are much appreciated, Craig.