Tread Carefully Comments
The branches dance in the wind,
The ones outside my window
Across from my desk.
I suppose you know the trees
...
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a magnificent cry of the heart! ! ! the poet willing to follow his wild into the beautiful barren solitary places the journey of the poet willing to go the dark wounded spaces. brillant poem Seamus, a poem i woud love to have written.............10
My dear Norah, how gracious and kind are your words, and yet in your few lines of thought I believe I glimpse the heart of one also who has walked the lonely, dark places. Paths where it is possible to hear your own soul converse with the depths of being in the language of pain and sorrow...joy and wonder. I look forward to hearing from your own lines where such paths have taken you. Thank you again, :) S
Seamus O' Brian, Well, you have truly given me a mirror of the beautiful mystery I feel within the out of doors! Inspiration within solitude Iv'e found many a time within her living magnificence. The whole poem told a step by steip narrative of how you are held, strengthened and inspired to live and understand life (I know it is true for me as well) Thanks for sharing this deep intense poem. Very thoughtfully done................Blessings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Kathy
The love of rock and stone and wilderness carries me, the last three lines are golden perfection.
Thank you, Bill, I have always found inspiration in the forest and mountains, but they seem unmoved by my poetry. I am glad to have human colleagues with whom to share. Season's blessings, my friend. :) s
I love what you told about the trees- - -How you feel a tree as a brother- - - -A beautiful poem- - To quote a few lines- -Across from my desk. I suppose you know the tree Of which I speak, for I've written Oft of their power over me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One thing you need to know─ The branches, they talk to me. The branches, they've told me Who you are. Perhaps it's because I have Grafted myself into the woods And the lonely places where only The love of rock and stone and Wildness carries me, - - - - - - - - The poem goes to my favorite list.
Thank you, kind Bharati, for your gracious and encouraging sentiments, and for taking the time to read and comment so kindly. Be blessed, my good poet!
I read your sensitive comment on Nosheen 's poem THE NIGHT FALLS and immediately I wanted to read one of your poems. I clicked on TREAD CAREFULLY and it was an inspired though random choice. This is the kind of poem that takes up residence in a reader's heart! I am totally convinced of the truth of your poems, but also I loved to just be in the space of the poem while reading it. There are so many dimensions to your poem which strike me as uniquely poetic. And you express these things in language that flows with the confidence and lack of showiness of a natural thing, a bird singing his morning song, a river flowing unerringly to the sea, a rock that knows its permanent place in a mountain. // Usually I write critical comments to show my appreciation and I could do that for TREAD CAREFULLY as well, but instead I just want to respond impressionistically, enthusiastically. Why? Because your poem makes me realize why I share your love of poetry, it makes me realize why I try again and again to write poems, it makes realize the excitement of being a poet. Is that enough? Yes, it's enough.
My good Daniel, I am ever so encouraged by and grateful for your gracious insight. I have read many of your works and have been inspired by your informed and scholarly writing. And what thrills me about this community of writers is celebrating the joy of the bond we share. Thanks again!
Seamus, this one has really struck a chord with us poets. I identify with it so much, starting with the trees outside your window that you have a relationship with (I do too) , and graftng yourself into the woods and lonely places. I could not begin to contemplate the heaviness of the grief of humanity. Landmark poem, thank you!
Thank you, dear Laurie, I always appreciate your insightful and gracious thoughts. It seems we have quite a few wavelengths in common. :)
Seamus, i got lost in this world you spoke off....the picture you paint so vividly with your beautiful words...I look forward to reading more from you. Annette
I humbly welcome you, Annette, and am very pleased that you have ventured into my world. We writers, of course, always hope to share that which has touched our own hearts especially with those whose hearts speak the same language. Thank you!
'Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams' I thought the heart of a poet is the strongest, now i have to step carefully. And what have the branches told you about who i am? Mirror, mirror, tell me please :) I enjoyed reading this very much.
Dear Anne, the heart of the poet is indeed strong, and deep, and perilous to navigate. This is why my advice to tread carefully when entering the heart of a poet, not for the sake of the poet, but for the sake of one who might enter in unaware of what might be encountered there. The trees give off oxygen which we breathe, and in turn breathe in the CO2 we breathe out. Are we not brothers? My brothers tell me you are a poet with whom they speak much.
Such beautiful verse. The heart of the poet is indeed precious. It speaks on behalf of Nature. A big 10.
Thank you, my dear Nosheen. Your praise is humbly treasured always.
Step you carefully, You who would tread the heart of a poet A nice advice, thanks for sharing this poem!
I am almost wordless [an unnatural state for me]. I am definitely feeling as breathless as if I have been taking an incredible journey through this poem instead of merely sitting here reading it. You do realize don't you that this pure magic. I have read some very well written poetry on this site but this is Literature and as such it needs to be published for the world to read and treasure. I am not kidding and I am not shining you on. The only thing I can do for this poem is put it on my Favorite Poem list and give it a score of 10 although a million points would be much more fitting. I wish I owned a publishing house- -you would be soooooooooooo published.
Susan, your response indeed leaves me breathless, for it is all the hope and soul of a poet to move a reader to feel the tremor of his own heart as he gazed into the depths of the abyss, and struggled to find words to describe what he saw therein. I am beyond pleased that a page of my heart will find its way onto your favorites anthology. You are too kind and gracious.
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7/22/2025 10:03:55 PM # 1.0.0
Very impressive work, Seamus, indeed... Your obvious penchant for structural movement is sharp as a dart and smooth as a coin crossing o'er a freshly glaced ice pond...Metaphor and empowered vernacular propels this work as each stanza fuels the next...A fine wordsmith you be, mate!