DAY TWENTY-FIVE!! Celebrating "ARBOR DAY" for #NationalPoetryMonth + #ArborDay

TODAY IS ARBOR DAY!! What would we do without trees?  So, let’s write tree poetry today.

Many people are familiar with Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees.” Most can at least recite the first stanza ~ the poem is made up of a string of rhyming couplets.

Rather than suggest only one type or poem for today, choose your own form, but remember the rules to the one you use, if it has rules, that is.

If you go with couplets, which is such a pleasant poetry form – easy to write, nice to listen to ~ keep in mind the definition of a “couplet” ~ two lines that rhyme and have the same meter.

Joyce Kimer’s poem has 8 beats (syllables) in EVERY line and the endings rhyme within each couplet. (Yes, the second line has 8 syllables – the word “poem” has 2 syllables). So, count out your beats if you are using couplets or go back and follow the directions for any other style or just do free verse.

Let’s create some new poems about trees for Arbor Day. Cheers!!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Arbor Day Foundation ~ Tree Poetry

TREES

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

              © Joyce Kilmer

Here's my #ArborDay poem ~ not the greatest, but I wanted to post it for Arbor Day ~ it's about a tree in our front yard that is over 35 feet tall but we only planted it 9 years ago - I posted some pictures of it too. My husband is standing in front of it and he is 6'5" tall so that gives an idea.

ABCB rhyming pattern

Our Tall, Tall Tree

Just outside my front door,
stands the most magnificent tree.
Planted it nine years ago,
now taller than seven of me.

Fastest growing tree around,
it shades us from the western sun.
Leafy havens for the birds,
it comforts me when day is done

Its grandeur adds ambiance
we put up with its messiness.
Only growing for nine years,
its beauty, to us, is ageless.

                                                 © 2014 Stephanie Abney

                                 (this view is looking up at the tree)