Lavender

Oct 06, 2025 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

This poem is part of the contest:

Neopoet Weekly 10/5/25 to 10/11/25 🏆 Winner

(Read More...)

As Mighty Trees Bear Witness to Our Past

As mighty trees bear witness to our past
they look back on the dawning of our birth
denoting how much longer we will last

A single lifetime sails along so fast
though what we leave behind speaks of our worth
as mighty trees bear witness to our past

Our world, it seems, is timeless, strong, and vast
but to the trees, our grasp for life seems dearth
denoting how much longer we will last

So little, what we humans have been asked
to prize the future of Dear Mother Earth
as mighty trees bear witness to our past

As they stand tall, resilient, and steadfast
these trees of grandeur bow, hold back their mirth
denoting how much longer we will last

Of Royal Spirit, knowledge unsurpassed
providing all a harbor and safe berth
as mighty trees bear witness to our past
denoting how much longer we will last.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: A Villanelle. Tried to keep the rhythm and iambic pentameter throughout - though that word "steadfast" seemed too important, so I bent the rule just a tad. We cannot make it without our devoted and giving trees.

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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Comments

Geezer

6 months 2 weeks ago

Villanelle...

I'm not sure that the word you are looking for is denoting,
I rather think that the word that you want is: connote. While denote means to define exactly, connote means to imply or infer something. A good Villanelle as far as I am concerned. ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

6 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Geezer,

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this. I'll think over your suggestion. I really want to express a specific, defined time period - when the trees are gone, we're gone.

Thank you!

Sen99

6 months 2 weeks ago

The Trees all Agree ......

........... this is one worthy tribute to our ancestors.

i wish people respect them more as organic, living beings with a long history

There was a case here of a sycamore tree being hacksawed, really vile people who vandalise nature !

Well crafted poetry as usual for Lavender

thank you

Sen

Lavender

6 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Sen,

I feel the same way! I recall the Sycamore Gap vandalism. So sad, and I don't understand at all.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts,

Words Ablaze

6 months 2 weeks ago

The trees seem quite…

The trees seem quite condescending here don't they? Rightly so but still, their quiet knowing is haunting, taunting me in every paragraph. Precious piece. Thank you, L.

Lavender

6 months 1 week ago

Hello, Words!

Hmm... condescending, maybe. Skeptical for certain.

Thank you, as always, for reading!

Clentin

6 months 2 weeks ago

Loved the poemEspecially the…

Loved the poem

Especially the first stanza

As mighty trees bear witness to our past
they look back on the dawning of our birth
denoting how much longer we will last

It says it all!

Lavender

6 months 1 week ago

Hello, Clentin,

We've abused Mother Earth and her trees so much. Hopefully our future will be wiser and more considerate - for our own good!

Thank you!

Geezer

6 months 2 weeks ago

I've been thinking...

about the word that you can use rather than [denote]. I think [foretold and foretelling] could be the right choice. Maybe? ~ Geez.

Lavender

6 months 1 week ago

Hi, Geezer,

I really appreciate the time you've spent with this... still pondering!

Thank you so much!

William Lynn

6 months 1 week ago

Well done!

Congratulations Lavender on your win, but more importantly for your fine poem.

I am not in a position to offer a critique, as I thought the poem was very well done. Could it be improved? Possibly, but I tend to think that often when we offer suggestions they tend to be "nit-picky", and not that helpful.

Nice job! - Will

Lavender

6 months 1 week ago

Hello, Will,

Thank you for your very kind comments. The villanelle is a bit complicated, at least to me, and there is always more to learn and room for improvement. I appreciate your reading this one!

Michael Anthony

6 months ago

Congrats on the win L!…

Congrats on the win L! Lovely ruminations on the wisest things on earth - cheers!

Lavender

6 months ago

Thank you, Michael,

Yes, they truly are the wisest and most giving living beings on the earth!

Rula

5 months 3 weeks ago

Congratulations my dearest lav.

As always you excel! This is yet one more proof.

Your love for mother nature shines through you the lines and the win is indeed well deserved.

Congratulations my friend!

Lavender

5 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Wonderful You!

"The trees!

What would we do

without these!"

Thank you, My Friend!

Unca Fez

5 months 2 weeks ago

A Beauty

A beauty of a poem. For me, it raises the question: Will these stolid watchers survive as we flush ourselves down? The human race seems bent on its own destruction and taking as much of our planet with it. My hope is that after we are gone, there will be enough left to grow over our graves.

Thanx,

Steve

Lavender

5 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Steve,

I looked up "If humans were no longer around, how long would it take the Earth to heal..." Some of the info is reassuring, some is alarming. As I get older, like you I am hoping the Earth survives our arrogance and recklessness. I keep those who will come after us in mind, especially when walking among the trees. Today I visited the ash, northern red oak, white oak, the shagbark hickory, among others. They are the true Watchmen! :)

Thank you for reading and commenting! I appreciate you!