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JMCKUSICK

(1,673 posts)
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 04:32 PM Friday

At the Cemetery

An ode to the tree, that welcomes me, to this beautiful Cemetery.

Just inside the entrance gate, there you stand majestic and great, you welcome all comers, the burdens innate.

Your branches beckon like open arms, offering a place of rest for souls suffering great harms, witnessing each burial, whether gents or marms.

Your regal trunk betrays the burdens you bear, each soul entrusted, received with great care, the rawest emotions, before you laid bare.

You've welcomed many lives, whether husbands or wives, all inscribed in your trunks archives.

Your shadow protects, from babies to soldiers of yore, their safe haven now from illness and war,
a final resting place worthy of lore.

Thank you dear tree for touching my heart, for letting me play a tiny part, in this humble place of life's final art.

Gratefully,
John Mckusick


19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
At the Cemetery (Original Post) JMCKUSICK Friday OP
That is truly beautiful, my dear JMCKUSICK . . .Thank you. CaliforniaPeggy Friday #1
Thank you CaliforniaPeggy JMCKUSICK Friday #18
Give that big beautiful tree a hug! SheltieLover Friday #2
I do, every day. JMCKUSICK Friday #4
Seriously, wrap your arms around it... SheltieLover Friday #5
Touche JMCKUSICK Friday #6
They inherently drain any stress, negativity out of you/us. SheltieLover Friday #7
I understand that completely JMCKUSICK Friday #8
Native Americans referred to trees as standing people... SheltieLover Friday #9
That is beautiful! Thank you. LoisB Friday #3
Thank you LoisB JMCKUSICK Friday #17
Wonderful, John. sharing your heart and soul with us. Thank you so much. debm55 Friday #10
"" AllaN01Bear Friday #11
kick JMCKUSICK Friday #12
Thank you, John. Dorothy V Friday #13
Thank you Dorothy JMCKUSICK Friday #16
This is just to say that sestina Friday #14
Thank you Sestina JMCKUSICK Friday #15
Beautiful poem JM Clouds Passing Saturday #19

JMCKUSICK

(1,673 posts)
4. I do, every day.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 05:09 PM
Friday

Not a huge exactly but I place my hand on it and give thanks coming and going.
Even Cuddles goes right up to it and lays down.

SheltieLover

(65,626 posts)
7. They inherently drain any stress, negativity out of you/us.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 05:18 PM
Friday

Let me know what you think. Must hold hug long enough to feel the love of the tree.

Dorothy V

(270 posts)
13. Thank you, John.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 08:53 PM
Friday

Birds and squirrels make their homes in it, it gives life to all sorts of little creatures.
A landscape without a tree is just pitiful to me.

sestina

(202 posts)
14. This is just to say that
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 10:28 PM
Friday

Last edited Sat Mar 29, 2025, 12:00 PM - Edit history (1)

I enjoy the way you describe the tree as a guardian and witness to all of the sorrow, with the best intention, without complaint. Our world is full of things that we don't always notice, and you noticed and made a beautiful poem.

JMCKUSICK

(1,673 posts)
15. Thank you Sestina
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 10:44 PM
Friday

You are exactly right. The tree looks like it bears a burden, a heavy burden but it was built for just that.

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