Friday, September 16, 2016

Old Man Of The Tree




Have you ever seen the Old Man of the tree? If you are a lover of trees like I am you have probably seen a few.

He looks as if his face is coming out of the tree like the picture above. That is an un-enhanced picture.

I have noticed that there are not as many here as there were in Michigan. Perhaps they do not feel the need to be seen here. I do not know.

I have noticed that whenever I see one he looks as if he is in pain. Does that mean his tree is in danger? Maybe he is simply lonely and crying out for someone to notice him.

Now it may be that I see the Old Man more often than some do because I love trees so much. I have been known to stop along the road to glory in a particular tree.

Each tree has a distinct character and some seem to call to me. Sometimes it is the fullness of the tree. Sometimes it is the way the branches spread. Sometimes it is just a feeling that the tree and I connect.

Even dead trees are attractive to me. I can see what they once were. I appreciate the graceful lines that are still visible and envision what they might have looked like.

I close with a well-known poem by Joyce Kilmer.


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

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
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.


24 comments:

  1. I love trees too, Emma. Even the dying trunks, weathered and supported by their neighbours. The history and character of each is a story unto itself. I am saving photos for a blog post which I will write eventually. I have never seen the old man of the tree however. Fascinating! I will look more closely now!

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    1. Not every tree has one (at least one that is visible. I am certain you will eventually see one. I cannot wait for your tree post.

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  2. Trees are more than beautiful, more than mystical...they help cleanse the very air that we breath. Trees help us to see the wind with every fluttering leaf as they bow to a passing storm.

    Yes, Emma...I love trees! I hug trees. There are faces on trees. Birch trees have eyes that watch over one's home and the children...they are protective. Trees are spiritual...they are my Cathedral.

    Wonderful post, Emma! Thank you~

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    1. How poetic. You expressed some of my feelings beautifully

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  3. I look closely at trees, too. They have messages. I like to spot the fairy doors, near the roots.

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    1. I am fascinated by the fairy doors too. I have not seen as many of them as I have Old Men.

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  4. I've seen him before. The last time I saw him he was laughing :)

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    1. I have never seen him laughing. I'm glad he has good days too.

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  5. So beautiful!!!
    I feel that every tree has a story to tell.

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    1. I feel that way too. Some of the stories are easy to hear while others keep secrets.

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  6. Not only an old man, I saw also dogs, Freddy Krueger, and a red facce tree.

    These trees also talk to me.

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    1. I hope you take some pictures and let us see them. That would be something to see.

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  7. Hello Emma, Fabulous photo. I was stunned.

    Talking about trees, if you notice carefully every single tree is different from the other. They are wonderful creations of God.

    Unfortunately, in cities trees are cut down in the name of development.

    Sorry, I could not read the poem because the color selection was such that I have to strain my eyes.

    Best wishes

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    1. I am so happy you commented. I have been trying to find your blog but kept being connected to a site that would not let me get through. I agree about the difference of the trees. I do not like the color of the poem either. I was trying to be artistic and represent the color of leaves. I'll do better next time.

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  8. Emma, I have been looking through my files all day for my two "old man" faces in a couple of our trees at the edge of our woods and I finally found them!!! I do believe that you will see the faces clearly as I do. Woodlands are magical , mystical places...I have always felt this way. Maybe it is the Cherokee in me or maybe I just feel the magick. They are going to be posted on my Goldenrod and Candlelight blog. Hope to see you there~

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    1. I will watch for them. I have no Native-American blood but I do feel the trees.

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  9. Lovely, Emma! This face on the tree looks like an old man with a cigar in his mouth.

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    1. I never noticed the cigar before but I see it clearly now. I used to visit him often before I moved. He lives in a marvelous tree and I miss him.

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  10. What wonderful thoughts!

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    1. Thank you. I try to have only pleasant thoughts even though I am not always successful.

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  11. That's one of my favorite poems.

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  12. And that poem was written by a person also from my home state, so I too am very familiar with the words.

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    1. I would love to be able to say, "I knew that," but of course I did not. I like poetry which a songs without music. Like my songs I have a fondness for those that are slightly silly.

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