image based on a dream I had a few years ago
I dreamt there came a newly found religion
instead of worship three, we worshipped tree
instead of pushed conversion, gathered free
and planted seeds, then danced under our cousins
til shining green in leaves from sea to sea.
To cut a tree would be a painful sin
our punishment not hell but death alive
Clear cut result a hellish damning din
with suffocation we will not survive.
So plant a tree nearby and each day pray
in hopes your neighbors see and follow suit
Revere your giant cousins every day
Your wonder if god exists will be moot
This is my second poem for Ingrid’s dVerse’ Poetics prompt. The last line is a bit patchy on iambic pentameter, but the hour is late and I’m too tired to tweak it.
I am also linking this to Brendan’s earthweal’s Open Link Weekend, per Ingrid’s suggestion.
Tao Talk 
Trees sustain life so we should revere them. Lovely poem.
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Sadje so true. I can’t think of a better life form to worship.
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👍🏼
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Really like the way you go right into it, making the claim, and in poetic rhyme — in Estonia where I lived I saw that the old Estonian religion has sacred spots in nature, not always trees..
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Really like the way you go right into it, making the claim, and in poetic rhyme — in Estonia where I lived I saw that the old Estonian religion has sacred spots in nature, not always trees..
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Sounds like a fascinating place to visit. I know the Japanese do the same with their religion. Not sure if druids officially exist anymore but they probably do in the Celtic lands.
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Lovely poem and the lines inspiring 🌷🙏🌷
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Thank you very much, Thattamma, glad you were inspired by it ❤
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So welcome 🙏 🌷
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You beat me to it…with the Lorax!
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I still haven’t seen the movie!
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I still like the original Lorax the best but it’s a good little movie…with a good message
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What a wonderful dream and religion. It would be great if it came to pass.
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❤
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I love the poem and the message and the image, Lisa! I think this one may well belong at earthweal too 🙂
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You read my mind, Ingrid. I will post it at OLW 🙂
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😊 🌳
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I have a short story written a couple of years ago that fits right into your storyline. I will look for it and post it on my blog then link back to you, with your permission. Lovely poem about our revered but vilified trees. Ami
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Ami, I look forward to reading it, yes on permission. Vilified is a good word for it. The most helpless victims of all 😦
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It can be found here. Thank you Ms. Jadeli!
http://gypsieswritingmusingsquotesgripes.com/2022/02/10/the-tree-that-never-was/
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❤️
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Nice job! That second line (my fav) really drew me int.
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Yvonne, thank you!
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No tweaking required, love the poem’s message ~~~ and the art which is really neat.
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Helen, thank you. I drew a small one of it, and when I was in the dream class before the facilitator asked me to bring a pic in so I did a bigger version of it.
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What a wonderful dream. And I love the way the image forms a circle. (K)
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Yes it was, Kerfe. I stylized the circle part but the essence of it was this. Still trying to find time to create one for my what I will call “eye” dream.
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Let it marinate.
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Lisa, trees are both inspiring and life-giving. I like that your poem reflects the interconnectedness of all living things! ❤ Intriguing drawing made from your dream!
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Thank you, Cheryl, the dream world gives us so many gifts. It helps us to see.
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Oh, but it’s so well said/
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❤ May it come to pass!
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Written 2021 but ties in with your poem!
http://gypsieswritingmusingsquotesgripes.com/2022/02/10/the-tree-that-never-was/
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Just read it Ami and left a comment at your blog. Such a tragedy and I can see why you thought of your story as being connected to my poem.
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Thank you for permitting the link. Yes, the “Religion of Trees” came through for me. 🙂
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Ami, I’m sure there would be some that would try to shut it down also. Too many make too much from trees to allow them to be protected. Just like sweat shops, drug houses, and brothels.
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Lisa is “three” a reference to Catholicism?
-David
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Christianity in general. But I’m fairly sure that other religions have their threes also…
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The three to tree is a great starting point…
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Thank you, Bjorn.
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We forgive you for your supposed sin as this is wonderful!
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❤ You're a dear, thank you, Dale.
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Just telling it like it is 🙂
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Lisa, your poem reminds me of the teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth people in my area – in the Old WEays, they had strict protocols for how they lived in respect to trees – if women took some bark for cedar headdresses or hats, they left the tree alone for 150 years, so it could heal. I can only imagine the horror with which they view clearcutting and waste of white peoples’ logging methods. I live in old growth, not much of it left, and it hurts that even this small amout are under threat.
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Sherry, it does my soul good to know trees are respected in other places. Sounds like it has been a religion for them for a long time. So sorry to hear your old growth is under threat.
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I’d shine my shoes and knot a green tie for this church! Hand me a shovel and some seeds.
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I love your response, Brendan. I’ve been watching Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyer’s series, “The Power of Myth” and it is giving me one continuual goosebump.
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I love this!
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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Great poem, really touch my heart❤ Thank you
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Thank you, Deepak.
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