From the Archives—Featuring Robert Lindley

It is a joy to travel back into our Whispers’ archives and read gems from past issues.  Today, it is a pleasure to present Robert Lindley’s first poem published at our online journal. This lone tree faces many challenges over a span of many years—as have many of you.  As bits and pieces are lost with illness, aging, deaths, etc., we are reminded by Robert’s words that we can still endure.  Thank you, Robert, for sharing your talent with us.

Sincerely,

Karen O’Leary—Whispers’ Editor

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Great Lone Tree, So Beautiful

By Robert Lindley

Great lone tree standing in the middle of Harper's lot
  weathering all attacks from so many enemies it has got
Struck eleven times by lightning in as many years
  last one burned so hot that sap burst forth like tears!

First plague was ten thousand locusts eating its fruits
  next came grub worms devouring its sweet tender roots
After that first fire came burning high above its trunk
  then came the woodpeckers pecking out chunk by chunk!

Next the teenage boys driving in nails for a playhouse
  adding to the big holes bored so deeply by a wood mouse
Second fire burned its trunk until hard rain put it out
  followed by six years of county's hottest, longest drought

Great lone tree had weathered so many terrible attacks
  insects gnawing ever deeper its long and deep cracks
So many years it giving its fruit and comforting shade
  its life beaten but that majestic beauty never did fade

Great lone tree stood reaching ever upward to Mother Sky
  enduring all while so stubbornly refusing to ever die!

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Robert Lindley is poet from the Southern USA. He has been writing poetry since 1969. Robert writes with the intent to offer others words to enjoy and with high hopes he may inspire and brighten lives in some way.

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