trees2

- New Living Traditions -

Tree poem drafts

Below are some of the drafts for the Chalk of Beech poem that appeared in the Art of Trees Calendar 2008. It was a commission for an 8 line poem but I was able to chose which picture to write it for. The April picture of a beech grove with a fallen tree seemed the obvious choice. I already knew a lot about the beech so had lots of available allusions, and compared to oak beech does not have much poetry written about it.
I tested the drafts before sending the poem to Icarus. Thanks to Jan, Linda and especially Julie Oakleyfor pointing out that throne could provoke unwanted allusion.

First typed out version

The beech of chalk

And mast and steep side

The pollard naves

For seasoned throne and shelving pan

The shadowed walk

Where clinging roots bide

Copper blaze, but flowered light craves

Yet reasons prone where times gale ran

Second version:

The beech of chalk

And mast and steep side

The pollard naves

For seasoned throne and shelving pan

The shadowed walk

Where clinging roots bide

Copper blaze, yet flowered light craves

And reasons prone, where times gale ran

3rd draft:

The beech of chalk

Of shelving pan and steep side

The pollard naves

For seasoned throne and fallen mast

The shadowed walk

Where clinging roots bide

Copper blaze, but flowered light craves

Yet reasons prone where time’s gale passed

Final draft:

The beech of chalk

And mast and steep side

The pollard naves

For seasoned seat and shelving pan

The shadowed walk

Where clinging roots bide

Copper blaze, yet flowered light craves

Yet reasons fleet, where time’s gale ran