The sweltering day is winding down
and the shadows are lengthening.
As the summer nears its solstice,
the activity in the trees
(even by the insects) has
succumbed to a lazy, dampened
sluggishness of seeking shade
from the intensity that still pierces
through the canopy of the grove.
Dappled now, the waning sunlight
glimmers like miniature beacons
amongst the undergrowth as a
barely-there-breeze
passes through the leaves.
Their stillness belies their discipline
as Watchmen in this quiet glade.
This grouping of oaks has been
steadfast sentries for hundreds
of years. Some have been lost to
old age and storms but most have
weathered What Has Come with
grace and fortitude.
They are the Silent Sentinels of Truth.
They yield when necessary without
betrayal. They hold steady without
defiance. Their boldness is tempered
by their enduring humility.
They abide without beliefs or religion
but serve and embrace all who
seek their refuge, looking to each
with equanimity.
These magnificent nobilities are
regal treasures to be revered.
They breathe and take sustenance,
grow and expand in awareness.
They begin soft and supple
riding the waves of squalls,
pliant to the extreme of
temperatures that threaten
their tender stems
and roots, but somehow thrive
and become dignified beings
of uprightness, integrity
and reliability.
Vero Oaks at Sunset; Artwork by Johnson Hagood
(The origin and history of the word “Vero” is from the Latin word vērus (“true”). As a noun it means “Truth” and as an adverb (Latin) it means “Truly, really in truth.” This appears to be universally “true,” EXCEPT IN FINNISH AND RAPA NUI.)
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Bodhirose's Blog 
Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES
/ May 19, 2019And they hold the earth together and bring us oxygen to breathe! Today I felt sluggish seeking shade.
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Bodhirose
/ May 19, 2019That’s right! That high heat is building here in Florida too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Sherry Blue Sky
/ May 19, 2019What a wonderful painting – the trees are indeed sentinels of peace. Your poem is wonderful. I love the lines about how they hold steady and embrace all. A wonderful poem, and it is so lovely to see you at Poets United, Gayle. Yay! So happy you stopped by.
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Bodhirose
/ May 19, 2019Hi Sherry, so nice to share something with Poets United again! I love writing about trees. They really seem to pull something bigger than myself out of me…which I love. Thank you for your kind comment. xoxo
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Renee Espriu
/ May 19, 2019Such a beautifully rendered poem, Gayle. I absolutely love trees and Yes, they are certainly sentinels in this vast landscape of the earth we live one. So nice to see you posting something again. You are a gifted writer, my friend, and I do hope you have settled in to your new place.
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Bodhirose
/ May 19, 2019Hi Renee! I was just thinking about you this week and how we need to chat. I believe I was ill last time you contacted me. And I hope that you’re settled in your new place too. We’ll have to find that out from each other soon! Thank you for your generous compliment for me, I so appreciate it. xoxo
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thotpurge
/ May 20, 2019without beliefs or religion
but serve and embrace all who
seek their refuge, looking to each
with equanimity…. if we could just learn this one thing from them!
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019You’re so right!
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kim881
/ May 20, 2019As you probably remember, Gayle, I adore trees and this poem really speaks to me. I have a garden full of silent sentinels of truth. I love the lines:
‘the activity in the trees
(even by the insects) has
succumbed to a lazy, dampened
sluggishness of seeking shade’
and
‘They begin soft and supple
riding the waves of squalls,
pliant to the extreme of
temperatures that threaten
their tender stems
and roots, but somehow thrive
and become dignified beings.’
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019Kim, you’re so fortunate to have a garden full of silent sentinels. I love trees too and have written about them several times. They seem to pull inspiration out of me to write about their wonderful ‘character.’ So nice to see you here!
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kim881
/ May 21, 2019🙂
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Magaly Guerrero
/ May 20, 2019I love that, to me, this poem reads like guided meditation and I absolutely love it. After every stanza, I hear that silent voice telling all who want to listen Remember. Remember how much this matters. Remember that truth and trees die when we strangle what feeds them.
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019Thanks so much, Magaly. It’s interesting how often I go into a meditative place when writing about certain topics…trees being one. Yes, we must remember…
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Magaly Guerrero
/ May 24, 2019I completely understand… It’s almost impossible (for anyone open to it) not to respond to the magic of growing things.
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Kestril Trueseeker
/ May 20, 2019There are old trees on the edge of the space where the neighborhood kids play. I always think of them as the old guardians of that space too.
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Bodhirose
/ May 21, 2019I think they must be the old guardians too. I love that you think it also! Thanks for coming by.
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ May 20, 2019I love trees too… and though we are not yet in that moment of summer heat, I do remember those moments when nature tiptoes in summer laziness…
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019Our heat is rising by the day and I’ll be taking haven from it inside! The heat does bring about laziness…a definite slowing down occurs.
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navasolanature
/ May 20, 2019Really beautiful tribute to the magic of trees.
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019Thanks so much…I appreciate you coming by.
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Barbara MacKenzie
/ May 20, 2019there is so much we can learn from trees….maybe we can harness some of their dignity….bkm
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Bodhirose
/ May 20, 2019Yes, they are great teachers…and some of us sure could use some dignity. Thanks for coming by.
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Audrey M Howitt
/ May 21, 2019The sluggishness of summer cooled by the trees I love–so much to love in this piece–it makes me long for the dog days od August
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Bodhirose
/ May 21, 2019Thank you, Audrey, I appreciate your visit and compliment.
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1sojournal
/ May 21, 2019Yes, we can and should learn so much from the trees. I really like how you see them.
Elizabeth
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Bodhirose
/ May 21, 2019They have much good to teach I believe…and thank you for the compliment and your visit, Elizabeth.
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dsnake1
/ May 21, 2019the poem has painted a picture of how sturdy and strong these oaks are, despite the heat and rains and storms.
this reminds me of a poem i have written about rain trees as sentinels, how they shelter me from the tropical sun as i walk beneath them. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ May 22, 2019Yes, and I admire them for that strength and fortitude. It seems we have thought similarly about these wonderful beings. Thank you for your visit and comments for me.
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Betty Hayes Albright
/ May 24, 2019Wonderful tree poem, Gayle. (One of my favorite topics 🙂.) Good to see you here – seems like it’s been awhile!
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Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2019Thanks very much, Betty. One of my favorite topics too and yes, it’s been awhile! It seems to be an arduous process these days to come up with anything worth sharing. 😉
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Sue Dreamwalker
/ July 14, 2019“Silent Sentinels of Truth.” Beautiful poetry Gayle Trees see so much The Standing Ones, who watch silently all that history that passes by.. ❤
Much love Gayle and good to see your wonderful poetry and it was lovely to see you too ❤
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Bodhirose
/ July 22, 2019Thank you, Sue, I appreciate your kind compliment. Yes, they are special beings those trees, in so many ways. Always lovely to see you too, Sue. xo ❤
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Sue Dreamwalker
/ July 27, 2019And much love returned Gayle ❤
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