Poem of the Day: “Imperfect Arms” by David Pring-Mill, Frequent Contributor and Poet of the Week

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Imperfect Arms” by David Pring-Mill, a Songs of Eretz Frequent Contributor and this week's Poet of the Week.  The poet’s biography may be found in the “About Our Editor & Frequent Contributors” section.

Imperfect Arms

David Pring-Mill

Conifer trees cling

onto civilization's edge.

The dusk is here!

Each tree stands tall,

with its imperfect arms;

Pine needles drooping…

yet never needling,

Never trying to puncture skin,

To spill the redness flowing

through our tiny rivers.

Looking at the pines,

I wonder:

What great blue rivers

keep them intact?

Do we disturb their veins?

These trees are blessed

with simple purpose:

Show the sun

a reflection of its power.

And make other things possible.

Make life, make shadows...

near towers of stacked families,

defiant light switches,

whispered language!

Encased in concrete,

dreamers dream

of these spirited heights.

And I,

a tall and long-limbed dreamer,

greet them in the morning,

while walking away.

We are bonded

By forced habit.

Like you and me,

these trees let go

of a leaf –

with each passing day.

Branches reach,

some intertwined.

To the offshoot,

I gently speak:

"Break apart

in twisting shape,

sprout into existence!

Form

your statement.

You provide no shade,

But a declaration is made:

Of love,

For sunlight."  

Poet’s Notes:  In this poem, I decided to take an anatomical look at a single living system, of which we are one part.