Xyloid hymn

arqios

 

"Xyloid Hymn in the Windbreak"

 


The pine trees do not sing; 
they rub their dead branches together 
until their resin warms.

It is an instrument 
made of split grain and dry beetle holes, 
tuned only to the northern gale.

We listen with our ears pressed 
to the rough bark, hearing 
the slow, xyloid creak of wood

that spent a hundred years 
learning how to bend
without breaking off at the root.

 

 

 

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Comments +

Comments10

  • Mutley Ravishes

    Sublime, Arqios. I had to look up the meaning of "xyloid." Thanks for the teaching. I guess "pine trees do not sing" in the "intellect is the be all and end all of existence" paradigm. Not to belittle the intellect. I like it. A lot! Maybe we're in a "simulation"? Even so, the depth of detail, of feeling, of essence is astounding when we put our curiosity to work, isn't it? Of course, you already know what I mean!

    • arqios

      What to make of sound and other stimuli, indeed! Imagination still plays a sovereign role in our cognitive engagement with what surrounds us. Thus, arises a form of communion. Thanks for lending yours to the poem 🙏🏻🕊️

      • Mutley Ravishes

        👍💯

      • sorenbarrett

        How wonderful I wish I had thought of it my friend for I have heard the trees sing as they rub their branches together and the wind whistles through them. A lovely tune it is too. Nicely written I love the last stanza that makes me think it is more than personification but metaphor as well.

        • arqios

          That it is, my friend. Thanks most assuredly 🙏🏻🕊️

          • sorenbarrett

            My pleasure

          • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

            such tenderness in this piece a fav

          • orchidee

            Good write A. Using 'x' now - no shortage of them; they're not used in many words. lol.

            • arqios

              Yup. And helps complete the alphabet as well.

              • orchidee

                How about them 'q's? lol.

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Rik, there's something wonderfully haunting about this one. I've always loved listening to trees when the wind picks up. Sometimes I think they're having conversations we're simply too impatient to understand. Really enjoyed this, my friend! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

                • arqios

                  I know, right!? Awesome 🙌 🙌🏻🕊️

                • Kevin Hulme

                  I love the Sound of the Wind in the Trees .
                  Good Write.

                  • arqios

                    As do I. Thanks my friend 🕊️🙏🏻

                    • Kevin Hulme

                      My Pleasure.

                    • Friendship

                      nicely done

                      • arqios

                        Thanks Friendship 🙏🏻🕊️

                      • arqios

                        Thanks for the Fave @Salvia.S 🙏🏻🕊️

                      • Tony Grannell

                        Hello, arqios,

                        I know these sounds they can be misleading, sometimes creaking like a bird or some arboreal animal and at night they sound eery and foreboding. An intriguing and well crafted poem. Very well done.

                        Fond regards,

                        Tony.

                        • arqios

                          Thanks Tony! I agree, in the dark sounds can take added texture and personas when the other senses aren’t as acute. 🙏🏻🕊️

                        • Joseph M Marion

                          Very adversity very good

                          • arqios

                            Thanks dear friend. 🙏🏻🕊️



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