I’m sharing another of my Summer Shorts poems today. August 9th was Book Lover’s Day. As soon as I saw that challenge on my list of Capture Your 365 prompts, I knew what my photograph would be. I pass this whimsical tree whenever I do my creek walk in the morning. He has always caught my imagination.
Book Lover’s Day
Father Forest
gives me that look—
he has a story
to share.
Perhaps someday
he’ll be a book
of history
ancient and rare.
A chapter
of earth,sea, and air,
or a tale
of a girl and a bear.
Mystery on the edge
of my chair,
or a myth
of a fair maiden’s hair.
A fable
with tortoise and hare,
or dystopian
sci-fi affair…
I’m very tempted
to come back at night
catch him spilling it
unaware.
© 2017 by Violet Nesdoly (All Rights Reserved)
This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Kay at her blog A Journey Through the Pages.
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
cvarsalona
August 17, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Violet, this tree is so unusual that it is striking. Your poem goes splendidly with the story you told of greeting this tree on your walk. I think this would amuse children and provide a great story starter conversation. If you are inclined to share this at my summer gallery, please reduce the size of the image poem and add your location. Thanks for sharing your Summer Shorts 2017 digital composition.
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Violet Nesdoly
August 18, 2017 at 2:33 pm
The tree is just outside the grounds of a heritage house. That house’s caretaker is the sweetest little old lady who is quite chatty when we happen to catch her outside. The first time I saw the tree’s accessories (some years ago, and she caught me snapping a photo), she told me her son had bought and installed the eyes and mouth for her. It has needed repairs from time to time. A few weeks ago, I noticed it was missing an eye. But some kind soul (maybe her son) does a fix and it’s back to our old friend.
(On the subject of a poem for your gallery I will send you one—something summery.)
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Tabatha
August 18, 2017 at 4:52 am
Hooray for book lover’s day, and for stories spilled everywhere! Father Forest is a charmer.
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Violet Nesdoly
August 18, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Thanks, Tabatha. “Stories spilled everywhere” reminds me of the magical “Once upon a time…” I’ll relay your compliments to FF next time I walk by.
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Buffy Silverman
August 18, 2017 at 1:59 pm
So glad to know there is a book lover’s day! (Or is it every day?) Fun poem.
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Violet Nesdoly
August 18, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Thanks, Buffy! Book Lover’s Day is every day for me! Lots of us, I think.
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mbhmaine
August 19, 2017 at 5:13 am
This is delightful, Violet! I have a similar tree along my running route, and I’m definitely going to pay more attention when I next run by! Who knows what he might be saying! (Thanks–You’ve inspired me to both run and write!) I love the rhymes in your poem and the idea of those rich stories spilling out into the night air. Actually, I love every bit of this poem!
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Violet Nesdoly
August 19, 2017 at 7:06 pm
Thanks, Molly! Yes, those forest characters bear watching. They know too much (*grin*)
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maryleehahn
August 19, 2017 at 5:21 am
I was curious how a tree with a face would inspire a book lovers’ day poem! Thanks for the delightful surprise! Our oak tree has a face that is in need of repair — the squirrels use the bits for leverage as they race around the tree!
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Violet Nesdoly
August 19, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Thanks Mary! I can just imagine your squirrels clamping onto a nose or digging claws into an eye. Ouch!
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Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
August 19, 2017 at 2:58 pm
I see faces in trees when out on walks also, but your’s is unique, I’ve never seen one quite as pleasant as this fellow. Your poem fits with the tree divinely, thanks for both, and for the chuckle too!
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Violet Nesdoly
August 19, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Thanks so much, Michelle!
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Kay McGriff (@kaymcgriff)
August 19, 2017 at 6:24 pm
That tree is delightful–as is your poem imagining the stories it might tell. Thank you for sharing!
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Violet Nesdoly
August 19, 2017 at 7:10 pm
You’re welcome, Kay, and thanks for hosting us this week!
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Robyn Hood Black
August 20, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Oh – Book Lover’s Day! I need to make sure I remember next year. Thanks for helping us all celebrate. The end of your poem… HA! Love all this fun. So clever!
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Rebecca Herzog
August 20, 2017 at 6:57 pm
this is great! I love the idea of the tree willingly becoming a book so that his stories can be told. So good!
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Brenda Davis Harsham
August 23, 2017 at 8:02 am
Love it! Perhaps he is dreaming of a nymph that tickled his beard and disappeared.
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