Seed Yield
The oak is in its mast year again.
The squirrels know: they’ve returned
to the familiar tree after years away,
somehow—feuding over the acorn
fuel still forming high above the grass.
Their complaints, the tree never
hears. They quarrel in bright barks—
mine-o, thine-o, you can’t have it—
and bristle up and down its branches,
small, and back only for this: potential
heavy in the green and swaying canopy.
heavy in the green and swaying canopy.
15 thoughts on "Seed Yield"
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I like how the tree is painted as patient and generous, standing above it all.
Ohhh, sweet…the movement and sounds “feuding over the acorn”, “quarrel in bright barks” and “bristle up and down its branches” (love these sounds.
Ha! “Their complaints, the tree never/hears.”
I like how you describe the squirrel
behavior & if they spoke English, I can just hear them taunting each other with that sing songy line—mine-o, thine—o!
Great last line–some beautiful internal rhymes as well with oak / know and feuding / fuel. This is a lovely poem!
I can literally hear the squirrels scrabbling in this one. Nice work.
Your choice of words and enjambment are outstanding!
This poem is delightful! Like others have said, I can hear those little squirrels scampering about. You capture a whole scene richly. Beautiful poem.
“Feuding over the acorn,” that is great!
Wonderful, Shaun.
The squirrels sound a bit like Robin Hood and his Merry Men. 😏
I especially like the squirrel quotes and “bristle up and down its branches.” Great sounds in this poem.
I love the last line and, of course, the singing squirrels.
Reminds me of some ancient , Welsh, Druid poetry.
I’m glad you gave me a change of perspective here. Almost made me like squirrels. (They were a holy terror when I lived in the country.) Love the term “mast year” and how “the squirrels know.”
Felt this right out of the gate.
“The oak is in its mast year again.” I know that feeling, moment sound.
Photograph
“bristle up and down its branches,” nice !!
What great descriptions, & I love the “mine-o, thine-o, you can’t have it.”
Love the oak trees. I’m particular to them this year.