Dignity in Storm

/ delphini510

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Dignity in Storm

The Poplar, so statuesque 
reaching for the sky,
in its richness and elegance;
Fearlessly risking a great fall.

The spruce, so mighty,
more yielding in its strength;
Dancing its wild dance, 
in rhythm with the wind.

Beautiful are the Birches
gracefully bending down,
Letting storm and gusts pass;
With ease rising up again.

Sacred are they all
in their acceptance and grace;
I see them as part of us
and we of them.

Opening our minds and hearts
we give the trees;
Recognition of their own selves,
their sacredness and dignity.

As they give the same to us.

© miriam ivarson

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60 thoughts on “Dignity in Storm”

  9. Standing among trees, I am calmed and reminded how small I am – and that’s as it should be.
    Your poem conveys the wonder of trees and why we are so mesmerized by them. Everyone should go out to see the trees every day.

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  10. I love trees! Let me share a story with you. We were at the cabin in early Fall when we heard a tinkly, heavenly sound. We went outside to find its source and discovered that the poplars where shedding their frozen leaves, making music as they descended and touched each other. Magic just for you. B

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  11. First, wonderful to see you back B.
    A big thank you for the magic you gave me to share. I can see it and hear it. What a precious experience.
    A tinkly, heavenly sound. So beautifully said, next you will write a poem about
    the experience.
    Hugs ❤️

    Miriam

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  12. Your poem reminds me…”Trees and men are alike,” said Ruskin Bond in one of his stories but the similarities have been narrowing with the passing storms that mankind has witnessed. Trees still stand tall and majestic, sharing all they have unlike man who in his ravenous race has been trying to conquer nature.
    Your poem sings the glory of trees, dwelling on their grandeur and grace despite all the storms that they have to bear. Well done 🙂

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    • Balroop, I wrote a long and in depth response to your beautiful comment yesterday but see it missing as I check through this morning.

      I am so glad we share the honouring and respect of nature and the magnificent and healing trees. We will never conquer nature, it lives in harmony with Earth. If we learn to do the same our lives would be filled
      with strength and calm.
      Miriam

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  14. Miriam, yes I beleive the simple act of recognition is what’s needed from each other and between all things as your lovely poem recognizes. Just think what this simple act would do to the defence industry? I also like the majestic names given these great giants of nature.

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  15. Thank you for your response JC. These giants are majestic in all ways and deserve names to honour them.
    Yes, recognition between each human being, of nature and from are the basis for harmony, peace and love. May we all take time to listen to each other deeply and listen to the whisper and roar from nature.

    People working in the defence is part of the same rule. I guess there would be no wars if we all cared and listened.

    miriam

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    • Thank you Rosaliene, your comment is beautiful. Ode indeed. 😊 .
      I did pick three trees that were just around me and felt they all had something to teach us. The Birch to bend and rise again.

      Miriam

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  20. Wow Julie, you also call the poem and Ode. A lovely word to my ears. 😊 Thank you.
    I couldn’t agree more that the whole nature has something to teach us and yes, trees i their majestic and still way can ground us if we let them.
    Truly, we have the choice as to where we put our attention.

    Miriam

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    • Thank you Bela for your lovely comment. How right you are, may we all flow
      more in sync with nature.
      I arrived to my retreat in Sweden last night and am surrounded with forest and trees of all kinds. The gold from the birches beautifully set off against the darkness of dense forest. Magic.
      Will drive down to the sea and listen today. 😊 . Eight days of bliss.

      Miriam

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      • Oh, wow! Sweden this time of year! My husband is Finnish and remembers the long winter nights, skiing on moonlit snow. Then the endless summer days. While he was born in the US, his mother often returns to her homeland. We talk of visiting, but it’s a long journey from our home in Hawaii. Enjoy, enjoy! Aloha.

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  22. Ahh …Bela, that is fascinating to me. Has he ever been back himself?
    There is no snow as yet although my hire car is already fitted with ‘ dub decks ‘. I have been here when there was about 2 meter of snow. A veritable fairyland. So pure, so quiet that you just want to whisper.

    Yes, it is a long way from Hawaii. Aloha

    p.s. It is definitely true about the summer days, the sun just dips and goes up again. Magic. Winter is dark much longer.

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  23. Miriam, how wise of the trees to bend with the storms, letting the gusts pass by … and how beautifully you extrapolate this idea to humans … think if we could all live with their majesty and inner stillness. I am particularly impressed and moved as you make this a two-way communication and that we also give to the trees by recognising their strengths. The natural world takes on a new meaning each time I read your poems, Miriam … thank you for extending my thoughts and growing spirit. PS. The photos are beautiful, the poplars in the first one is awe-inspiring… as well as a bit frightening! Hope it doesn’t topple! 😀😀

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    • Annika thank you for your deeply thought and beautiful comment. I am touched by the idea that we could live with their majesty and inner stillness within us. As to a two way communication I just felt it to be true. All living things react to kindness and care.
      I am greatly honoured if the natural world takes on a new meaning for you through reading this. 🤗 .

      As to the Poplars, if they fall the will most likely fall on my house……

      Miriam

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  26. Sacred are they all
    in their acceptance and grace;

    Well said. And well, as said, that we find a way to emulate that. Instead we find more ways to make ourselves the camels that try to pass through the eye of a needle.

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  27. Thank you Phil for your lovely comment. This morning I am looking at Birches and Spruces lit by the morning sun. Thinking, are we ever that still and graceful?
    I smile at your comparison with the camel and the eye of a needle. Heard that a lot as kid.

    Miriam

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  31. Trees always look like they’re dancing in the wind, from the casual waltz of a strong breeze to the frantic freeform in strong gales, always enjoying and taunting the air to do its worst. And of course at times they’re over-excited, forget their age and break a bough, but always as you say Miriam, with dignity.
    Lovely piece, right up my woodland path!

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    • Thank you Nigel for your lovely comment. This morning nothing moves, wind is resting. Only the odd remaining Birch leaves are slowly fluttering to the ground. But when the storms come I see Spruce dance wildly and fall, roots and all. The Birches stand there – minus some boughs and twigs.
      What kind of trees does your woodlands have? Do you have Oaks?

      miriam

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  35. Wow, Kamal, I am humbled by your strong response. Like yourself I do love trees and all nature. Trees have something serene and magnificent about them. They just stand there, dressed in greenery, golds and browns or naked in winter storms. Total acceptance.

    miriam

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