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JMCKUSICK

(3,292 posts)
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 04:32 PM Mar 2025

At the Cemetery

An ode to the tree, that welcomes me, to this beautiful Cemetery.

Just inside the entrance gate, there you stand majestic and great, you welcome all comers, the burdens innate.

Your branches beckon like open arms, offering a place of rest for souls suffering great harms, witnessing each burial, whether gents or marms.

Your regal trunk betrays the burdens you bear, each soul entrusted, received with great care, the rawest emotions, before you laid bare.

You've welcomed many lives, whether husbands or wives, all inscribed in your trunks archives.

Your shadow protects, from babies to soldiers of yore, their safe haven now from illness and war,
a final resting place worthy of lore.

Thank you dear tree for touching my heart, for letting me play a tiny part, in this humble place of life's final art.

Gratefully,
John Mckusick


19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
At the Cemetery (Original Post) JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 OP
That is truly beautiful, my dear JMCKUSICK . . .Thank you. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2025 #1
Thank you CaliforniaPeggy JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #18
Give that big beautiful tree a hug! SheltieLover Mar 2025 #2
I do, every day. JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #4
Seriously, wrap your arms around it... SheltieLover Mar 2025 #5
Touche JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #6
They inherently drain any stress, negativity out of you/us. SheltieLover Mar 2025 #7
I understand that completely JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #8
Native Americans referred to trees as standing people... SheltieLover Mar 2025 #9
That is beautiful! Thank you. LoisB Mar 2025 #3
Thank you LoisB JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #17
Wonderful, John. sharing your heart and soul with us. Thank you so much. debm55 Mar 2025 #10
"" AllaN01Bear Mar 2025 #11
kick JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #12
Thank you, John. Dorothy V Mar 2025 #13
Thank you Dorothy JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #16
This is just to say that sestina Mar 2025 #14
Thank you Sestina JMCKUSICK Mar 2025 #15
Beautiful poem JM Clouds Passing Mar 2025 #19

JMCKUSICK

(3,292 posts)
4. I do, every day.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 05:09 PM
Mar 2025

Not a huge exactly but I place my hand on it and give thanks coming and going.
Even Cuddles goes right up to it and lays down.

SheltieLover

(72,176 posts)
7. They inherently drain any stress, negativity out of you/us.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 05:18 PM
Mar 2025

Let me know what you think. Must hold hug long enough to feel the love of the tree.

Dorothy V

(370 posts)
13. Thank you, John.
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 08:53 PM
Mar 2025

Birds and squirrels make their homes in it, it gives life to all sorts of little creatures.
A landscape without a tree is just pitiful to me.

sestina

(419 posts)
14. This is just to say that
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 10:28 PM
Mar 2025

Last edited Sat Mar 29, 2025, 12:00 PM - Edit history (1)

I enjoy the way you describe the tree as a guardian and witness to all of the sorrow, with the best intention, without complaint. Our world is full of things that we don't always notice, and you noticed and made a beautiful poem.

JMCKUSICK

(3,292 posts)
15. Thank you Sestina
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 10:44 PM
Mar 2025

You are exactly right. The tree looks like it bears a burden, a heavy burden but it was built for just that.

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