Bjorn hosts Open Link Night in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ Anything goes!
Why do trees conceal the splendor of their roots?
From Pablo Neruda's ~ Book of Questions
1 ~ Party Animals
beneath the soil the roots are wild
doing "the worm" / tequila-styled
a jazz band plays / all the night
while trunk above acts all polite
why hide the splendor / one might ask
cause daylight spoils a root's good flask
2 ~ Witness Protection
why do trees bury the splendor of their roots
they saw something / they know things
down there in the loamy dark
a witness protection program quietly hums
while the leaves above proclaim
"nothing to see down there, Officer"
3 ~ Nonsense
why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots ~
to keep us guessing
to win the cosmic game of hide and seek
to ensure squirrels never
start digging for answers
Nice approach to the question,
ReplyDeletethere is definitely life under the roots!!
I have always been impressed by the roots of trees,
they even tear down cement!!
I once wrote a fairy tale about the roots of an oak tree where a family of hedgehogs lived!!
Good morning Eleni!!
I love all the metaphors you draw from that line... I loved the thought of the squirrels.
ReplyDeleteGreat answers to Neruda’s question, Helen. I would love to join the roots at their party; smiled at the trunk acting ‘all polite’; agree that the roots know things – they’ve around a long time and people forget they are there until they trip over one; and I just love the humour!
ReplyDeleteI must say I love the idea of the squirrels digging for answers. I could imagine them being that curious.
ReplyDeleteI question whether Tequila might not have played a part in the writing of this splendid and entertaining response to Neruda's question, Helen...
ReplyDeleteAn interesting take on the prompt, Helen!
ReplyDeleteGorgeously rendered, Helen! I especially love; "why hide the splendor / one might ask cause daylight spoils a root's good flask." ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteI second Frewin's response!! Ha good fun as always!
ReplyDeleteYour guesses are better than anyone else's ... the play's the thing! (I'm rooting for #3.)
ReplyDeleteSo clever, Helen. I love your poem!!!! Fun and true.
ReplyDeletePrecious ponderings, Helen. Partying trees, undercover witnesses, and squirrel thwarters, oh my!
ReplyDeleteI like your party animals, Helen. Nature's secrets exposed.
ReplyDeleteSo clever, Helen! I love your metaphorical answers to Neruda's questions!
ReplyDeleteOne more reader loves your answers and suspects Neruda would have enjoyed them too.
ReplyDeletePK
Good answers! I especially love the second one.
ReplyDelete