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The Secret Life of Trees

The Secret Life of Trees

What if the paper we write on could tell the secret things we fear to say - this poem was performed at The Bushwick Bookclub in November 2024

Dearest YOU

We are having  SUCH a lovely day here

I’ve sat Dad by the river

under the willow tree

we watch the ducks

the setting sun

while I feed him scones for tea


But look!

between these pallid lines

here’s a crack

in this pretty universe

of cellulose atoms

This is a Dark Matter!


a secret life of trees

where the bitter sap is written

of child long fled

beloved dog dead

a growing silence

that screams:


Dearest!

the river floods

Dad is so ill I cannot manage

the birds screech

Dad cries in the night I cannot manage

the sunset bleeds the shadows creep

I cannot manage


Lots of Love, Mum!

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