The oak, an agent of nature.
With bark comparable to angelic skin
Radiates ordinary beauty,
Incomprehensive of sin.
Its branches a safe embrace,
A wood warblers’ home.
Oaks are a benign space for birds,
Dominating the temperate biome.
Each tree a maternal structure
Sustaining other life forms.
A host for leeching lichen,
Food for butterfly swarms.
In age the oak decays
Leaving a hollow corpse to remain.
Repurposed as a home,
In a fox’s scavenger brain.
In youth the oak is lush
With durable, dense wood.
Harvested by humans,
Who contemplate if they should.
Saw off the spry limbs
To construct a timber frame.
If other animals, make a home in wood
Is what we do the same?
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Thanks for reading :) Share your thoughts if you have any! What do you think is natural?
About the Creator
Meg
I'm here to explore the depth of human experience and to stop procrastinating my passion.
Comments (4)
Very thought provoking! Particularly at the end!
Nice piece ✨❤️
This is so beautifully written! I have this thing about hardwood floors—I cannot live without them. The only exception is when I’ve lived somewhere super modern with polished concrete. I refuse to have carpet, or that laminate fake wood stuff.
This poem beautifully captures the complex relationship between the oak tree and the ecosystem that surrounds it, as well as the human relationship with nature. The imagery used to describe the oak tree is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and appreciation for this magnificent organism. The idea that humans must contemplate whether or not to harvest the oak tree is particularly thought-provoking, as it highlights the tension between our desire to utilize natural resources and our responsibility to protect the environment. Overall, this poem encourages readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature and the importance of preserving our natural world. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece!