by Brooke
Tree fixation
I am doing research.
It involves fidgeting with a camera
and sometimes a pencil.
Also, it requires strict observance
of any and all surroundings.
But I must be willing to do some
mind wandering embroidery,
some imagining where I might push the needle
with black thread or gray on linen, stitch by
stitch the shape
of the trees
themselves
without
these
paternal
leaves.
(from my postcard poems)
While this may sound like I can do without the leaves, I must emphasize that I am as fixated on leaves as I am on trees. Both are one thing and then they are separate things. To me, the changes in trees throughout the seasons will never be anything but fascinating and joyful, and fall-to-winter is one of those stages that I am appreciating now. A few of my tree photos are up on flickr (don’t expect awesome, mostly these are my reference photos 🙂 ). So, what have you recently been compelled to recreate in some form (writing, song, images, sculpture, stories, etc.) or another?
p.s. Also, please feel free to give feedback on my poem. I am always open to revision. Does it seem like there is something missing?
this is beautiful brooke… it’s going to be in my head all day, and with me for a long time. thank you.
I quilt. Not well, but enthusiastically. When I am producing a quilt, I feel I am recreating myself. Pouring the best parts of me into it. I am also creating something new, giving myself inspiration to become what I want to be.
I like how the word “stitch” sounds in the poem and where it comes in.
I’m a painter. I’m in the midst of about three paintings right now…portraits.
Of course I read this and think of my own experiences. Could this be read as a feminist metaphor, shrugging off the ‘paternal’ leaves, embracing the tree (the source, the root) instead?
You warm my heart.
Thank you for sharing your comments, everyone. G, you are too kind. And Suzann. I want to write more when you say such nice things.
Two of Three, I have made a couple of quilts and loved the experience. I felt the same, like I was pouring the best parts of me into it. Maybe because of that, I think it is too much work and I mostly just daydream about making them (lazy). One quilt every 8 years for me. At least until I’m out of school – or until my kids are moved out.
D’Arcy, when are you going to post one of your paintings?
Caroline, how could it NOT be a feminist something-or-other when I put the word paternal in there like that? Right? I just didn’t know where I was going with it, but I like what you say about embracing the source/roots. I wonder how far you could take that metaphor.
Thank you Brooke for this poem.
I too like the word stitch as well as the phrase mind wandering embroidery.
I am not an artist but I like to think, write, and do research!
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