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Sycamore Gap, by Guy Fletcher

13/10/2023

 
Editor's Choice
Guy's poem refers to a recent piece of wanton vandalism: a much-photographed tree near Hadrian'a Wall in the north of England was mindlessly cut down, to national outrage. A teenager and an adult have been arrested.
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Before
Picture
After
The tree stood like a sentry by Hadrian's Wall
in a valley between two hills
for well over a century.
In winter it was adorned with snow
surviving countless northern gales
until with an act of senseless destruction
it was sawn through. Then the tree surgeons came
to cart away the once magnificent specimen.
Yes now the scene is forlorn,
just a memory only existing
in many thousands of photographs.
They will probably plant another tree
but we'll not see it grow to its full height
and admire its form... on a star-filled night.

To illustrate what we'll be missing, here's a little treat for you all.
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tony link
13/10/2023 01:26:27 pm

Sycamores, the trees of my youth. Unforgettable. Thanks to the author and the editor for the words and the views.

Cheryl Dahlstrand
13/10/2023 09:15:57 pm

Magical tree and poetry that reflects all its former mystery and beauty.

Daniel Hybner
19/10/2023 03:23:02 pm

How absolutely senseless. I had not heard of this happening, but I am glad to hear that justice will (hopefully) be served. Thanks for the beautiful tribute to a lost marvel.

Don Tassone link
21/10/2023 06:36:44 pm

Powerful poem. Haunting images.


Comments are closed.

    Poetry

    This is the section where fiction prose becomes something else. We still expect the poems to be short, though – sonnets, perhaps, or around that length at the very most.

    Poems submitted should be
    no longer than 160 words
    and contain
    no more than 16 lines.

    100 words remains the approximate target...

    AND SO THEREFORE:
    We have decided
    We really don't like haikus
    They're not proper verse.


    Please submit using the Poetry Submissions Page.


    Please feel free to comment (nicely!) on any poems – writers appreciate it.
    Just at the moment, though, we're moderating some of them so there might be a slight delat before they appear.

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