Hemlock
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
The trees refuse to speak. At least they do
Not speak our languages. Akkadian
And Latin are rejected. As a clue
They give us rings. Trees, not circadian
In time, are more like annual retorts
To those who seek some wisdom or some faith
And truth. They offer tongueless dumb reports
Unspeaking like a harpless Homer’s wraith.
Their knowledge is alive so long they can
Not really be expected to sing hymns
In glossolalia to short-lived man
Though they may semaphore with ancient limbs.
If God provided mediums for trees
They might reveal advice like Socrates.
~ Phillip Whidden
by phillipw | Mar 27, 2025 | AN |