I’ve been waiting for awhile now
You hug me as I hug sky now
My cool bark ‘gainst your warm skin
Tree and human; sky are kin
Feel the circuit now a-hum
Atoms swirling as if one
I’ve been waiting for awhile now
You hug me as I hug sky now
This poem was inspired by the trip I took to a Manistee bird and tree sanctuary in July. There I met a ginkgo tree who was receptive to being hugged by a human. The sky was delighted.
Here’s a pic of my backyard ginkgo. I bought the tree in 2012 and it was about 4 feet high. It’s now about 6.5 feet high. Ginkgo grow slowly. I wonder how old the ones in Manistee are?
click on captions to see larger images
Grace is today’s host of dVerse’ Meet the Bar/Poetry Form. Grace says:
Write an Octelle form poem.
Tao Talk 
How lovely to hug the tree, and also the sky. Take care of that gingko tree in your backyard. This line shows our connection to nature: Tree and human; sky are kin.
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Its loving energy poured into me and mine into the tree. I could feel the sky smiling through the leaves. A truly spiritual experience. Thank you for your lovely comment, Grace.
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You really connected to the prompt big-time. I loved “my cool bark ‘gainst your warm skin”–almost erotic.
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Glenn I can see where you could grok such. It was electric like that.
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I so love this, Li! ❤️ Hugging trees fills one with peace and calm.
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Punam, happy you connect with it and enjoyed the poem. Thank you <3
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This is absolutely stunning!! I especially love; “My cool bark ‘gainst your warm skin/
Tree and human; sky are kin.” 💖💖
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Sanaa, thank you very much, dear. <3 <3
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I love seeing this experience from the tree’s point of view! Especially these lines:
“Tree and human; sky are kin
Feel the circuit now a-hum
Atoms swirling as if one.”
<3
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Sunra, thank you so much. Grace gave us the tools to build with :)
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You tree-hugger, you! :-)
–Shay
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Thanks, Shay! Been a tree-hugger from way back.
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Awww, tree hugging is nice.
Happy Thursday
Much💖love
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Thank you, Gillena <3
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Such wonderful greens. The photo echoes the embrace. (K)
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It’s been a lush summer here like no other I’ve seen. Thanks, K.
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It’s still green here too which is unusual for August.
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What a sacred moment of connection and appreciation – true poetry! ❤️🌳❤️
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Tricia, it was. The experience with the ginkgo and the other humongous trees there left me feeling like my battery was charged. I bet I glowed in the dark that night lol
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I bet you did, a tree rendezvous sounds like a great time!
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I love the connection and energy in this piece. Especially admire the following line:I believe trees heal so I am a hugger.
Tree and human; sky are kin
Feel the circuit now a-hum
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Truedessa I believe they do also. I needed a dose from that tree in a bad way. Thank you for your kind comment.
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Beautiful, inspiring poem Li
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Thank you, Sadje :)
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You’re always welcome my friend
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Wonderful poem about everything being part of a whole and connected in every way.
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Nitin, thank you, and yes :)
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Yes we are kin! We hug the tree and it hugs the sky. We are all connected through energy. I love this!
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Christine, thanks much and glad you see it.
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This poem is as beautiful as the warmth of the ginkgo tree. I can almost feel the tree bark through your words.
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Tanmay so glad you connect with it <3
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Trees do seem to hug the sky. Nice observation :)
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<3 Thanks, Jane!
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I always knew you were a tree hugger! :>) That is a beautiful tree! Well done.
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Thanks a bunch. I should show my little tree a pic of her big sister to show her how she will be at some point.
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Ha ha… maybe hang a photo on her limb!
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As a tree hugger myself, I love the idea that the tree needs the hug as much as I need to hug it. There is an energy I cannot define….but you have here!
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Happy to hear it, Mish <3
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Excellent write Lisa. I wish so many more people felt this circular connection with nature and the universe. It baffles me that anyone cold not see this profound interconnectedness!? I think some folks have their heads do far ip their asses that they can’t see.
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Rob, thank you and I don’t understand it either :(
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This is lovely, Lisa. And ginkos are the coolest (though I hear they can be stinky?)
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Dale, I have heard the fruit can be stinky also. I’ve never seen one blossoming or with fruit so I have that experience to look forward to :) One of the guys at the preserve lived much of his life in Chicago. He said there were fruiting ginkgo near his residence. He confirmed they stink. He also said that people came from all directions to gather the fruit. He didn’t know what they made with it, but I plan on finding out. Also, the leaves of the tree can steeped for tea and are supposed to have memory improvement qualities. It’s a magical tree with an unpleasant attribute that I’m willing to overlook.
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When I went to Delaware, we saw lots of them and I don’t remember any stink. Then again, I don’t remember any fruit, either.
I think if is too nice a tree to judge it by it’s stinky fruit… which can be used? even better.
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Nice to know that there are a lot of them in Delaware. Kerfe says there are a lot of them in NYC also. I think they are a hardy tree. Something else in their favor.
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I know I have seen one in my home town… Not that I can remember where… but come fall, I’m sure to find it!
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So wholesome! Amazing personification, Lisa :)
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Jay, thank you. So happy you connected with the poem :)
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