“Tree Roots” by Vincent VanGogh
Why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots?
— Pablo Neruda, Book of questions.
It’s a matter of studied speculation.
Do mirrored images that ripple surface
conceal but illusion? Or is there more?
Is it a seeing or is it a doing? What mud
must we claw through to see truth’s
splendor — or diseased, soon-to-be dust?
If splendor, are we risking blindness
or being dumbstruck with awe?
If diseased, risk realized as another
notch on gamemanship’s riddled bark?
Look at each tree
and you may see
which most likely
Björn is today’s host of dVerse’ Open Link Night. I chose to write to the optional prompt from Neruda’s Book of questions.
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We wrote very similar subject matter, my friend.
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Awesome, Melissa! I tried to find his whole poem and wasn’t able to find it, just to see what he had to say about it.
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I’d like to order the book. It’s only $7 on Amazon.
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If you buy it, scan the poem and share, will you?
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Go to the Internet Archive. They have it, free.
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Thought-provoking questions and a reflection of us humans finding those answers within.
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Thanks, Charlie.
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You welcome, Lisa. :)
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I love me some Van Gogh. Seeing that painting makes me want to take another trip to Amsterdam for the Van Gogh museum. 😊❤️
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Oh wow, Gia, I bet Amsterdam is an amazing city, and to visit Van Gogh’s museum a jewel in the trip.
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I did have a good time in Amsterdam. And Van Gogh was honestly the reason I’d always wanted to go. Especially after watching At Eternity’s Gate (2019), which I love!
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I love that painting and am really impressed by the poem Lisa…beautiful!
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Max, so happy you like them. Thank you :)
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Very profound Li :-) good job on the poem! I loved it!
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Thanks much :)
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Awesome writing, Li – bravo! 👏👏👏
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Thank you, Nolcha <3
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A seeing or a doing…perhaps that is the crux of all living. (K)
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<3
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A delightful pairing of one of my favourite artists (as you already know!) and Pablo Neruda’s question has resulted in a delightful poem of questions, Lisa and the perfect answer. These lines stood out for me, because they are almost Shakespearean:
‘…What mud
must we claw through to see truth’s
splendor — or diseased, soon-to-be dust?’
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Kim your feedback is most appreciated <3
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You’re most welcome, Lisa.❤
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Love what you did with the prompt… I really love the questions, and we did have a whole prompt about it a few years ago. Maybe also by digging too deep we miss the beauty of what is right in front of us.
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Dear Bjorn, I have missed your insights. Thank you. Yes, sometimes we dig too deep and miss it.
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A very lovely poem my friend
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Sadje, many thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re very welcome my friend.
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Gosh, why indeed… Really good one, Li.
I am also smiling since I have that poster in my lounge – that one from Van Gogh – bought from the museum in Amsterdam. It’s a bit faded, but we have had it for more than 30 years!
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Chris, thanks much, and so very awesome on your having Van Gogh’s poster up on your wall. So amazing to hear when someone gets to visit Amsterdam and see his work up close.
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Wow I love that painting and your poem works so beautifully with it, the questions, knowing and not knowing very much like the painting.
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Di, thanks much for reading and your comment.
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Excellent
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Thanks!
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🤩🤩
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“What mudmust we claw through to see truth’ssplendor ”
Seems like a constant battle now.
We used very similar images with our poems!
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It’s funny, I searched for “Tree Roots” and this one came up. I had looked for images showing how different trees have different root shapes but couldn’t find any. Yes, we are doing a lot of clawing through mud these days. Thanks for reading and your comment, Merril.
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You’re welcome, Li!
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Love the link to the Van Gogh. So much is hidden beneath the surface.
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Thanks much, Yvonne. Indeed there is.
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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous write! 😍
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Sanaa, thank you very much.
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I love your questioning poem Li. There is always more. Sadly many are just consumed with window dressing instead of getting to the roots. 🥰
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Yes, Christine, I think electronica and instant gratification with it doesn’t help. I fear for the youngsters attached to their phones.
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“If splendor, are we risking blindness
or being dumbstruck with awe?”
spot on Lisa – also partly epitomises the adage we ‘cannot see the forest for the trees’
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<3
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This poem is a taproot with wisdom that cannot be gleaned except from depth, wonderfully done.
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Anna, thank you for the beautiful comment.
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As deep as deep can be ~ I love this!
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Thanks much, Helen.
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