Trees: After Joyce Kilmer

Trees

Joyce Kilmer - 1886-1918

 I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

March Trees (c) 2019

Did you learn this poem in school?  

I did -- and though I don't remember exactly when, I'm thinking it's got to have been close to sixty years ago now.  (How did my childhood become that long ago?!  Sheesh!)

But I digress.

I just know that for as long as I can remember, I've loved trees, walking in woods, sitting in a sunny grove...And when I create my landscapes, there are often trees included -- even if they're in the background.  

Now then.  This year's SAQA Benefit Auction begins a month from today -- and every year members are asked to create a "Dream Collection" and share it online.  Last year, I wrote about the pieces I'd purchase "If Money Were No Object" -- work contributed by some of the 'big names' in the studio art quilt genre.  This year...I was taken by the pieces with a focus on trees -- hence the poem, the memories and these pieces, which I think show trees in an assortment of shapes, sizes, colours and settings.  I hope you enjoy it!

Mel Beach - Dancing Leaves of Joy

Annette Boncek - Finding Peace in Nature

Libby Cerullo - Sisters

Ethelda Ellis Erasmus - Bluebells in Corrig Wood

Ann Flaherty - Cathedrale Naturelle

Cat Larrea - Solitude

Annie Smith - Moment of Serenity

Gay Young - Treescape

What about you?  To preview all the Benefit Auction contributions and to create your own "Dream Collection" -- maybe even make note so you can put in a bid!  -- visit the Auction Preview HERE.