One of a Kind
Grandparents already
have succumbed.
The mother tree
is holding on to life
and masting.
A small seed the size
of a thumbnail.
Sprouted in February
and nursed into life.
Tender under grow lights
in the basement.
Castanea Dentata
American Chestnut
Planted and growing
in Meadowthorpe.
It will get the blight
it will die.
The tree’s name is Wendell
and perhaps, being isolated
in downtown Lexington
It will outlive me.
Maybe it will flower
even reproduce
We will care for it
while we can,
as best we know how,
our one of a kind.
* Some ask why we put so much effort into raising something
that’s just going to die. I don’t really have an answer for that.
I’m not sure anybody does.
that’s just going to die. I don’t really have an answer for that.
I’m not sure anybody does.
17 thoughts on "One of a Kind"
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Love this tenderness towards a seedling.
Thanks for that Linda 🙂
Yes they are like toddlers 🙂
now i have a mental image of you changing a diaper on a tree, giving it a bottle, and cradling it in your arms
giving it little burping pats… gassy smiles, and putting it down for a nap..
**re: inevitable chestnut death…it will provide a lot of shelter, food, and space for other life(s)- along the way…
(which is a lot more than most -humans- can say of their measly/parasitic existences- just sayin’)
Lol…….I think in some way parasitic existence is kind of thing in this dimension. ….lololol….great visual of changing Wendell’s diapers, awesome !!!!
still a working theory… but i suspect we (humans) really all just exist to serve the mushrooms (the third kingdom)
I agree with your theory!
You are not alone in the theoretical working of this train. It tracks and the tracks are symbiotic.
moist is not a 4 letter word.. 🙂
Why not raise something that is going to die? This is what we do with everything.
Yes !
Love the nurturing, fatherly feeling in this Coleman. You are a lifegiver, on and off the page.
Oh ! Thanks Kevin….yes they are my babies 🙂
Thought provoking and lovely.
Thank you Mary,
He’s already grown a foot into the sky and is beautiful 🙂
Such a remarkable life you live, Coleman. I hope your nursery continues to be green and thriving,
This is beautiful. The footnote is its own poem.
it will die.
The tree’s name is Wendell
and perhaps, being isolated
in downtown Lexington
It will outlive me.
I agree, we raise things/beings/trees that will all die eventually, as shall we.