Family tree
The oak stands in the garden
of an ancient manor house
owned by the same family for generations.
Its branches reached far and wide
for centuries, but eventually rot set in
and they began to fall to the ground.
Gradually the tree was reduced in size.
Fewer and fewer leaves each year,
more and more dead wood.
Just as the house fell into disrepair
as the family’s wealth and influence declined.
Now the last survivor of the family
has joined his forbears in the village cemetery.
The house was sold at a knock-down price
due to its dilapidated condition.
The new owners have applied for permission
to fell what’s left of the tree.
The family bible raised little interest
when entered as a job lot at auction.
Dear Jonathan, may I say this? I notice in your poetry you often put in detail that’s not really necessary; here for example you have “eventually rot set in and they began to fall to the ground” You could simply say “rot set in, fewer leaves each year, more and more dead wood.” In a poem the succinct way of expressing yourself is almost always the best way. If you took a paring knife to this habit, some of your work would soon flower into the highly remarkable.
Point taken, Gill. I am sharpening my shears!
Though I agree with Gill, Jonathan, I am going to forego my habit of suggesting a topping and tailing and say that the beginning and end work really well! I especially like the ‘family bible raised little interest’….
Ruthless pruning from now on!