Standing so tall and strong
an old man
with twisted branches
and shade for us all
he towers so high to the sky
seeming like a mountain to me,
now time has worn
and many storms
he has weathered
his skin is older
as his bark is cracked
words of "I love you"
encased in hearts
are faded on his trunk
reminders of younger days,
age has made him weep a little
but strong and tall
he still is,
100 years old
and 100 more if I have my way
for he is old and my comfort,
sheltering me from the storms
sharing his branches from the sun
soft whisper of leaves
in the breezes
comfort to my soul,
with me he has always been
and shall always be
for he is my grandfather
still by my side
in disguise
taking care of me.
Author notes
A tribute to the greatest man I ever knew. Left me when he was too young, but I know he is with me everyday. Every time I see our beautiful old oak I am reminded of him and his beauty and strenght. They tried to cut it down last year...that was never going to happen in my life time...he is 100 plus and shall be 100 more as long as I am around...
For: Clifford Barnhill with love!
Written July 8th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Writing For Those Who've Lost... by dragonRider15.
300 points, ended November 3, 2007, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Who Has Touched Your Life and Given You Hope? by paw-writer.
450 points, ended October 6, 13 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - RIP Grandpa... I still love you!!!! by Crimson Viper.
600 points, ended November 4, 11 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 53 of 53
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I'm so proud of you for stopping those people from cutting down this tree. It obviously meant so much to you, but not nearly as much as your grandfather. Bravo for a job well done
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This is very good. Thank you so much for your entry! Keep up your amazing work. Best of luck in the contests. congrats on your wins!
CrimsonViper -
Wow! This is just so touching and heartfelt. What a great way to honor your grandfather. I love the comparison of him with the beautiful, strong oak tree. You have used some very nice imagery here in this poem. Great job, and thanks much for entering my contest. Blessings, Patty
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Very Touching!!
This is a lovely tribute to your grandfather. Comparing him to a tree was very touching. We all feel strong emotions towards our loved ones and you have told us of the strong and enduring love you have for your grandfather in such a lovely, beautiful story. I can imagine him smiling down on you with a heart full of love. I can't think of any favorite part because the whole story is wonderful indeed. Good luck in the contest. Your friend in Poetry, Mysty Rain
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Fabulous!
What a wonderful thing - that your grandfather that you love so much, is personified in that old Oak Tree. Magnificent poem in tribute to someone you honor and find great comfort in. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes in the contest!
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I really enjoyed reading this!!!
Best wishes,
Animals -
filled with emotion with the passage of time...
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I have been slow to comment on this, as it calls for re-reading a few times. It's an interesting approach to the prompt.
My favorite lines:
'age has made him weep a little
but strong and tall
he still is,'
they connote a couple of meanings for me
1. the obvious, losing leaves bark and perhaps limb
2. the idea of sagging (as a willow) though remaining morally and emotionally strong (a standard or benchmark)
thanks for entering...... james -
OMG! this is one of the best poems i've ever read! it was so good!
i never leave little claps but you get 3!
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Lovely ! !
A beautiful poem with very nice sentiments about a poor old tree some nice imagery and passion too
I really enjoyed reading it.If you like love poems
try my "You're Beautiful" it's nice.Best Wishes George ++++
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forgot my clappies...
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Though this does not fit what I asked for in the conest, this is a beautiful tribute to your grandfather and amazing imagery you create, and I'm glad I got to read it.
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This is so beautiful, makes my heart heavy just knowing your pain and how hard it is to be without such a figure in life... sigh.. makes me miss my own Grandpa a lot... beautifully constructed hun, with much heart, respect and most of all love.....
Karen
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This put a lump in my throat thinking about my grandfather who is going to be 88 next month, but he suffers from Alzheimer's, so in a way, I lost him years ago. He is no longer the man who raised me (I lived with him and my grandmother until she died when I was 11). My children don't like him because he yells at them. That just breaks my heart. I wish they could know him the way I did. Anyway, I am sorry that you lost your grandfather. It sounds like he was a very special man too.
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I am like really crying now, reading all these poems and all, this one really makes me think of my grandfather whom like my grandmother I never got to meet, you are a very strong hearted person and I respect that, Best of luck to you in the contest!
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this is a beautiful poem. i can feel the strenghth of your feelings in this poem. i didnt get my theme until the end. that's really good writing and i like that. this poem is truly inspirational.
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Touching Poem
I enjoyed this poem it was very heart warming! one of my favorite parts is:
"comfort to my soul,
with me he has always been
and shall always be
for he is my grandfather
still by my side
in disguise
taking care of me."
Thank you for entering and good luck in my contest!
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this is a beautiful tribute to some one that you have lost... thank you for your entry in my contest but i am after dedications to other writers here on ALL POETRY...
cheers
Jen -
Amazing
For the Thirty First time 8,063 comments
I say the word "Amazing"
This is beyound beautiful in thought and word craft
Love the message, I know you loved him well
Like this
he is old and my comfort,
sheltering me from the storms
sharing his branches from the sun
soft whisper of leaves
in the breezes
comfort to my soul,
with me he has always been
and shall always be
for he is my grandfather
still by my side
in disguise
taking care of me.
Wonderfull words
Thank you for showing me this to read
Rick
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what i wanted and also an amazing write well done, best of luck!!
Brenden
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beautiful and touching!
Beautiful poetry!
So touching and written with wonderful style....
I love the flow and imagery...
I am so sorry for your loss,....
Lynda
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Excellent piece you've written here! I love your metaphor and your wording; truly, beautifully done! My deepest sympathies on the loss of your grandfather
Thank you for sharing and for being a part of our contest, we do appreciate you! -
Wonderful Piece
This is a wonderful piece. I really enjoyed reading it! Good luck in the contest!
~Majestic Poet
P.S. Sorry my comment was so short! -
wow this is a nice thought of comparing a grandfather and a tree and how they are both protection and how they grow old. i think yoiu did a very nice job. thanks for entering in my contest it was a blessign to read. i wish you the best of luck! *god blesS*~kelc
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I LOVE THIS
Oh, girl, another about your wonderful Grandfather!!!
I LOVE THIS WRITE!!!!
You are simply amazing me. This is such a unique and creative way to put memory into prose. Very, very well done.
How special you are to have been blessed with such a special Grandfather! God was smiling at you...and he continue to smile at you today!!!
Much love, Sis!!! Tammy xoxox -
"As you die so slowly in the timing of trees..."
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Thank you for your comment and time I greatly appreciate it.
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How very touching! I really like old people. The are so vulnerable yet so wise. They've seen so much. You depicted it well.
Thank you for sharing and good luck!
xAx -
Well written! It reminds me of this one book that said something with a boy growing up with a tree. (I don't remember the title) Good luck in the contest~
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Creative and very well written........nicely done! You truely have a wonderful expression here of the strong bond between your grandfather and your family. Thanks for sharing it.
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yes, a very good piece....your love of your Grandfather is clear. A beautiful piece...the opening lines portray an elderly man, that still carries great strength for his family. The tree metaphor is wonderful...Very nice.
Rory -
Seems to be a great grandfather,very well described.
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I love this poem. The love for your grandpa comes through so strongly by comparing him to your favorite tree. Makes me think fond memories of times spent with my grandfather fishing at the lake. Best wishes in the contest, yet I doubt you'll need them
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very lovely poety awsome writing and words of love god bless you
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I love the comparison here, it's very original, there's a lot of love in this poem. Keep up the excellent writing,
Snuggly x -
Lovely
Oh this is Beautiful.
your word use is great.
it reminds me of The giving tree alittle.
but i love this.
veryvery MUCH!
you have talent -
I wish there were more of you in this world! We are loosing way to many trees today! I really enjoyed this piece! If I had any applause left, i would leave one but i am out so sorry.
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very smooth
i liked how you put it ,it was a nice poem to read -
A WONDERFUL PIECE, INDEED!
I think this poem is fine just the way that it is as all of the people above seem to have enjoyed it just as much as I have! (It may look better centered though and more like the braches of a tree) GOOD LUCK in the contest. I enjoyed the story of this fine old tree that lovers carved their names in (I've wriitten of this in one of my books which I'll have to post on AP someday for you to see) and probably kissed, embraced, and made love under, too!
Peace & Love!
Earl. -
Ah,this was really lovely,as you described this old tree,i could picture him standing there old,but strong,all the years of all the seasons showing on him.Excellent my friend.Thank you for sharing this lovely write with us.Kenny
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I can really relate to this as I too was very close to my Grandfather.I also have an infinity with tree's.This is an excellent write which moved me greatly.Well done and thankyou, Ros
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This poem reminded me of The Giving Tree. If you've read that short children's book, it's similar. I loved your comparison between a tree and your grandfather. It's very original and creative. You expressed yourself very well in this poem. So well that the reader grows to love the tree/grandfather too. thanks for sharing your talent.
-Jessica -
Thie reminded me of the story, Of a tree that had a great friend that it grew up with. I cannot right off hand remember the name of it, but this was a very endearing write. Nice to see such imagry go into a lovely poem. Butterfly
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this is so very beautiful,
a from your heart poem, my favorite kind of poem
this is so touchinh, you have done a very good job on this write
i really love this a lot
great job -
i like the escription of your grandfather as a tree, it portrays him as always there watching over you, and protecting you. it's great to know that there is always going to be someone there with you, especially during the hard times.
~ -
Very sweet poem. I love a good tree poem and a good grandfather poem and anything to do with nature. This covered everything and was very heart-warming.
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It is beautiful that you use the metaphor of a tree to describe your grandfather. The tone is full of respect and peace, a very flowing read.
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great
wow this is a great write, and so well written, it speaks from the heart and touches the soul of the reader. This is a grea poem. I look forward to more of your poetry. -
lovely
beautirfull you are so talented to write this -
i just recently finished a tributary piece to my grandfather called "strong old root" it seems as if we write the same kinds of poetry around similar times. as i have said before you are a talented poet and your poetry is always amazing keep up the good writes and I shall continue reading. HD
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excellent poem
I really loved this and the way that you described your grandfather. The flow was awesome and the rhythm was excellent. A poem to be very proud of. excellent job sis
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