Comment from His Grayness

Excellent

Sure wish I had the sixth star this work deserves, as I enjoyed it immensely! It brought back memories of my AUSTRALIA days and a big smile for the joy of this gifted writer's wonderful work! HIS GRAYNESS

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Vance. I appreciate your kind words. Tony.

Comment from Irish Rain

Exceptional

Hurrah!!! Loved this, ESPECIALLY the last line, 'Old things surprise, so too, will I'...love it. Me too. I plan on outliving absolutely everyone, ha ha. Love the tree too. I've a rose bush like this. It hangs on, 3/4 dead....but that which is living, I can't kill. Blessings...

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Judy. I appreciate your kind words and the six stars. Tony.

reply by Irish Rain on 15-Jun-2017

You're most welcome!!!

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

As always, I love the sounds of your poem, the near rhymes and the smooth meter. Then after detailed descriptions of the dying tree, we feel a connection to it and finally, the poet himself relates to it as a source of hope that we can be like that tree holding on to life with the "pulsing thread of sap."
The one phrase that puzzled me was "heart-torn rat." I'm guessing it isn't a rodent.

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Helen. I appreciate your kind words. Also the comment about the rat. Yes, the idea was a bit more generic and I have now changed the wording to 'heart-torn prey' to reflect that. Tony.

Comment from kiwigirl2821

Excellent

Hi Tony. Your words give this tree life as much as it burrows down into the ground seeking the nutrients to keep up the good fight. Wonderful descriptive writing that has this reader visualizing your tree and the life that resides. xoxo Kiwi

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Deborah. I appreciate your kind words. Tony.

Comment from DR DIP

Excellent

I so love this one t I love the accompanying photo which I assume is the actual tree.
You have brought that tree to life with your lovely words It was meant to live while ever you have feelings for it . It will always live while you let it inspire you

dip

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Dip. I appreciate your kind words. Yes, the tree in the picture was the one that inspired this poem. Tony.

Comment from Joan E.

Excellent

I hope you too continue to "surprise"! I admired your descriptions of the persistent tree and the "charcoal sky" along with your alliteration of "s's". Thank you for including the "cockatoos" for they made me remember we are in Australia. Cheers and best wishes in the contest- Joan

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Joan. I appreciate your kind words. Tony.

Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear

Exceptional

This is a clear voice, all about the tree, feelings in diverse on and about surprises, its survival shadows, emotion of struggles for survival, everything silent, peaceful; I liked; 6-STAR versification.

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2017

Thanks, Alcreator. I appreciate your kind words and the six stars. Tony.

Comment from Curly Girly

Excellent

Hi, Tony. I enjoyed reading your poem about an old tree that has been dormant for 15 years. The cockatoos enjoy using is as their perch. The tree is not completely dead, and it may still surprise you with life. There is humour in the last two lines as you compare yourself to this tree.

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 10-Jun-2017

Thanks for dropping by to review, Nicole. Appreciated! Tony

Comment from Nikki-Nicole

Excellent

You've written a very good poem.
After reading, I find that 'The Tree' meets the requirements of the contest and makes a good entry.
The image shown supports the topic discussed. The background selected goes well with the art and color of font chosen.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
Thanks for sharing your Free Verse.
Good luck with your future writing.
-Nicole-

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 10-Jun-2017

Thanks, NIcole, for casting an eye over this one. Appreciated. Tony

Comment from Bucketlist

Excellent

If only I had a 6..... beautiful way if describing tenacity. When others give up on something/ soeone that's when strength shows through. Lovely lines tell of how old age does mean lifeless YET. Thanks for sharing. You surprise constantly with your penning and probably still will I hope until your gnarled LOL Good luck in the contest

 Comment Written 10-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 10-Jun-2017

Thanks for reviewing this and for your kindness, Trisha. I'm afraid that i couldn't amass enough funny money to promote it before the contest deadline. Sorry that you weren't more rewarded for your effort than by my poor words! Best wishes, Tony

reply by Bucketlist on 10-Jun-2017

Your reply is good enough, thanks