I dream of an ancient Japanese maple,
trunk split low, contorted, crusted
with furry blue-green lichens sprouting
powdery gray multi-petaled blooms.
The tree’s crown a riot of 7-lobed
scarlet leaves—licks of flame, fallen stars,
spread fingers. When I align my hand
against a leaf, the foliage sparks, morphs
into hands. Open human hands of passed
loved ones—parents, husbands, friends,
ancestors further & further back in time—
history unfolding.
~ Inspired by Kyosuke Tchinaï’s Maple, Autumn’s Ornaments
13 thoughts on "I dream of an ancient Japanese maple,"
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Beautiful, Karen. Those gone speak to us in all sorts of ways! We only have to pay attention. Love the leaves “licks of flame, fallen stars, spread fingers” and how the leaves morph to body then to those in spirit.
Thank you, Sylvia.
Beautiful, Karen. I especially like the same line as Sylvia and also the quiet way the poem ends.
Nancy, Thank you.
Your language is so rich and right.
Thank you, Melva.
Melva–thank you.
Love your dream imagery, especially here:
When I align my hand
against a leaf, the foliage sparks, morphs
into hands.
Lovely how you tie this into connecting with lost loved ones.
Thank you, Ellen!
“The tree’s crown a riot of 7-lobed/scarlet leaves—licks of flame, fallen stars,/spread fingers”–whoa! What a wonderful list/description of what their leaves look like–very fresh. And I love the way you bring the specifics of the tree into the broader idea of relating to ancestors.
Thank you, Taunja!
One of my favorite trees– beautifully rendered.
Thank you, Pam!