Tweetspeak Poetry

  • Home
  • FREE prompts
  • National Poetry Month
  • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • Teaching Tools
  • Books, Etc.
  • Patron Love

How to Be a Better Writer: Tree Artist Date

By Laura Boggess 17 Comments

The Artist Date is a dream-child of Julia Cameron, helping readers learn how to become a better writer. We’ve discussed her book, The Artist’s Way,  and highly recommend both the book and the weekly date. An Artist Date can be life-changing. It can open your creativity like nothing else. Today, hop the fence and wade through the grass to sit a while under leafy branches.

______________________

On a soggy August morning, I waded out to meet the tree.

I’ve passed the meadow on the way to my in-laws’ house time and time again. Fenced and surrounded by housing developments on three sides now, the field serves as a reminder of simpler times, and the tree, my mother-in-law tells me, is all that remains of an old farmstead.

On a gently rolled knoll rising up out of an expanse of long, waving grasses, that tree lifts her leafy arms as if holding up the sky. Each time I pass by her I feel the pull. Her unlikely presence gives my spirit pause—rest from the noise of her surroundings, and mine.

So on a steamy August morning as temperatures rose with the sun, I hopped the fence to meet her up close. My heart quickened at this minor trespass.

Trudging across barren landscape, a soft throw tucked under my arm, I felt as conspicuous as that singular tree. By the time I reached her craggy trunk my feet were soaked by dewy grasses, my legs covered in seeds and other hangers-on. But, never mind, I was meeting an old friend.

When I had whittled away the distance between us, I touched her trunk, pressing my hand against her rugged skin, wondering at its roughness. I spread my throw in a clearing beneath her branches and leaned back to listen. As I peered up through the years gathered in her arms, I remembered these lines from Rumi:

Through the empty branches the sky remains.
It is what you have.
Be earth now, and evensong.
Be the ground lying under that sky.
Be modest now, like a thing
ripened until it is real,
so that he who began it all
can feel you when he reaches for you.

I thought of how trees have been giving to men and women since the beginning of time. It is said that Eve picked knowledge from a branch and the world was forever changed. Some legends note that after Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he sat under a Banyan tree, meditating on what he had seen. The Banyan tree—which folklore tells has roots that never stop growing—is often seen as a symbol of immortality. Some would pray to trees as gods; others see them simply as messengers of the gods.

As I looked up at the sky through twig and leaf, I wondered if the gifts of the tree somehow relate to the recipient. Wisdom for a possession-soaked world. Immortality to the prophet. Answers to questions for those who seek. So I tried to be modest—a thing ripened until it is real. I became small—a maple seed; a root tendril burrowing in the dark.

And my tree gave me this: shade to refresh, a song in the hushing of the leaves, scent of leaf mingled with dew, a place to slow and rest a while.

Image by wazimu0. Used with permission. Post by Laura Boggess,  author of Playdates with God (coming October 7, 2014).

How to become a better writer? Browse Artist Dates for inspiration, then head out on your own. 

_______________________

Every Day Poems Driftwood

Buy a year of Every Day Poems, just $5.99

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Laura Boggess
Follow Laura
Laura Boggess
Laura Boggess is happiest in a place with no walls. Give her a bed of grass and a blanket-sky and she will dream deep in wonder. But a good story takes her to that place too. And a poem? Even better. She's the author of Waiting for Neruda's Memoirs and Mildred's Garden, both titles in T. S. Poetry Press's Poetry Club Series.
Laura Boggess
Follow Laura
Latest posts by Laura Boggess (see all)
  • The Honey Field—6: Scars and All - March 22, 2023
  • The Honey Field—5: Sugar Water for Honeybees - March 8, 2023
  • The Honey Field—4: Little Indigo - February 22, 2023

Filed Under: Artist Date, Blog

Get Every Day Poems...

About Laura Boggess

Laura Boggess is happiest in a place with no walls. Give her a bed of grass and a blanket-sky and she will dream deep in wonder. But a good story takes her to that place too. And a poem? Even better. She's the author of Waiting for Neruda's Memoirs and Mildred's Garden, both titles in T. S. Poetry Press's Poetry Club Series.

Comments

  1. Katie Andraski says

    September 19, 2014 at 9:10 am

    This is wonderful. What a thoughtful meditation on what a tree means. There’s one in our neighbor’s field that I look at every time I do chores. Looking forward to your book.

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 19, 2014 at 10:38 am

      Thanks, Katie. I’ve wanted to do this for years. But there used to be a herd of cattle keeping company with that tree. Now there are only two sweet cows. They didn’t seem to mind my company 🙂

      Reply
  2. Maureen Doallas says

    September 19, 2014 at 10:37 am

    Lovely, as is all your writing, Laura.

    There’s a huge and marvelous banyon at Edison’s home in Ft. Myers, Fla. It was planted in 1925 and now covers almost an acre. (Pictures of it are easy to find on the Web.)

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 19, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Thanks for that tidbit, Maureen. I’ll google it up. I found the mystical writings about baryons so captivating when working on this piece. I’d love to visit one. I found a lot of American Indian folklore on trees too. A lovely way to spend a morning–in the company of trees. Both real and in legend.

      Reply
      • laura says

        September 19, 2014 at 10:42 am

        banyons. I think I need an editor 🙂

        Reply
  3. Megan Willome says

    September 19, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    Lovely, Laura.

    Last Saturday we went to an art gallery to see a photography exhibit. One photo of an acacia tree captivated us. If you looked closely, you could see three leopards in the tree (this was taken in Africa). The photographer later told us the tree was 80 feet tall. I can’t get it out of my mind.

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 19, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      It sounds beautiful, Megan. 80 feet tall. Imagine that. I think there must be something in our DNA that draws us to trees. I could look at them all day–real or photographed. Something so attractive in their design.

      Reply
  4. Marcy says

    September 19, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    laura,

    Tears roll down my face, your story is beautiful and I’m so happy you could still go back and have that moment. You made it so vivid as if I was walking alone behind you, even seeing the things that stuck to your legs I can so relate to that memory.

    My home is gone, all that land, 100 year old home restored, tin roof, fruit trees, trees that were older than life itself, gone. Once the three of us kids married Mom & Dad sold the place. It went commercial, all that’s left is concrete and one story buildings. Not one tree was spared. I miss the long driveway that took us to the house, it was tree lined on one side. Lately I dream of this, my childhood home, white doorknobs, high ceilings, smell of wood and walking the pastures. Just to touch one of those big wide doors again.

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 19, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      I’m so sorry for that loss, Marcy. I can hear your affection for your homestead in your words. This same thing happened to the farm where I was married. The state mandated the property to be used as a new interchange. But these special places still live on in our memories, don’t they? I pray your dreams of your childhood home will bring peace–like visiting an old friend.

      Reply
  5. Linda says

    September 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    We have two stands of ancient oak on our land, Laura. They have to be over one hundred years old. I look at them and wonder at the things they’ve seen. They bring me such a sense of timeless peace.
    This was lovely.

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:03 pm

      Oh, I would love to see your oaks, Linda! Yes, that’s it: timeless peace. Well-said.

      Reply
  6. June says

    September 20, 2014 at 11:26 am

    This inspired me, Laura, as your writings always do. I love trees, they are the dinosaurs of our modern world. I’ve heard it said that we are to the trees as butterflies are to us. I rather like that idea. Blessings.

    Reply
    • laura says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      Thank you, June, so nice to see you here. Dinosaurs of our world–I like that! I’ve never been out west to see the giant sequoias, but I hope to one day. That would be one magnificent artist date!

      Reply
  7. Diana Trautwein says

    September 20, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Ah, Laura. Such a lovely surprise to discover this Saturday morning. Thank you for writing this out so beautifully, for helping me to pause and thank God for the trees of my life, past and present. We have a 100+ year old oak in our front yard that was one of the reasons we bought this house almost 18 years ago. And a stately old palm nearly that old and a strangely-shaped gingko about 60 years old or so, plus various and sundry-sized oaks and pines scattered around. We hung a swing from one of the newer oaks – a favorite spot to walk up to — when my ankle is completely healed. Next month we go to Hawaii and see a few prized banyans while we’re there – they are spectacular and weird, inviting and imposing at the same time. Thank you for this.

    Reply
  8. Prasanta says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:24 am

    Trees are among my favorite things… and your writing makes an artist’s date with a tree sound like a magical, beautiful place we all want to enter and visit. Just lovely, this. Meditating on this, being small and modest, and resting under a tree. Thank you.

    Reply
  9. SimplyDarlene says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    This part: other hangers-on… That’s what made a beautiful telling real for me.

    Blessings.

    Reply
  10. lynndiane says

    September 23, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    What a perfect date for artist and tree! This is lovely and refreshing, Laura, and makes me want to share a poem:

    http://madhatterpoetry.com/2013/05/16/last-elder/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cute Comic

😊

The Sadbook Collections

A stick-figure human sure to capture your heart.

Take How to Read a Poem

Get the Introduction, the Billy Collins poem, and Chapter 1

get the sample now

Welcome to Tweetspeak

New to Tweetspeak Poetry? Start here, in The Mischief Café. You're a regular? Check out our March Menu.

Patron Love

❤️

Welcome a little patron love, when you help keep the world poetic.

Now a Graphic Novel!

"Stunning, heartbreaking, and relevant illustrations"

Callie Feyen, teacher

read a summary of The Yellow Wallpaper

meet The Yellow Wallpaper characters

Your Comments

  • Raymond Hattingh on “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” – An Old Poem, a New Artwork
  • L.L. Barkat on Poets and Poems: Marly Youmans and “Seren of the Wildwood”
  • Bethany on Poetry Prompt: Scribble a Poem for “Scribble Day”
  • Katie Spivey Brewster on Poetry Prompt: Found in the Library

How to Write Poetry

Featured In

We're happy to have been featured in...

The Huffington Post

The Paris Review

The New York Observer

Tumblr Book News

Stay in Touch With Us

Categories

Coloring Page Poem Printables!

Get all free coloring page poems now

Learn to Write Form Poems

How to Write an Acrostic

How to Write a Ballad

How to Write a Catalog Poem

How to Write a Ghazal

How to Write a Haiku

How to Write an Ode

How to Write a Pantoum

How to Write a Rondeau

How to Write a Sestina

How to Write a Sonnet

How to Write a Villanelle

5 FREE POETRY PROMPTS

Get 5 FREE inbox poetry prompts from the popular book How to Write a Poem

Shakespeare Resources

Poetry Classroom: Sonnet 18

Common Core Picture Poems: Sonnet 73

Sonnet 104 Annotated

Sonnet 116 Annotated

Character Analysis: Romeo and Juliet

Character Analysis: Was Hamlet Sane or Insane?

Why Does Hamlet Wait to Kill the King?

10 Fun Shakespeare Resources

About Shakespeare: Poet and Playwright

Top 10 Shakespeare Sonnets

See all 154 Shakespeare sonnets in our Shakespeare Library!

Explore Work From Black Poets

About Us

  • • A Blessing for Writers
  • • Annual Theme 2022: Perspective
  • • Annual Theme 2021: Generous
  • • Our Story
  • • Meet Our Team
  • • Literary Citizenship
  • • Poet Laura
  • • Poetry for Life: The 5 Vital Approaches
  • • T. S. Poetry Press – All Books
  • • Contact Us

Write With Us

  • • 5 FREE Poetry Prompts-Inbox Delivery
  • • 30 Days to Richer Writing Workshop
  • • How to Write Form Poems-Infographics
  • • Poetry Club Tea Date
  • • Poetry Prompts
  • • Submissions

Read With Us

  • • All Our Books
  • • Book Club
  • • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • • Literacy Extras
  • • Poems to Listen By: Audio Series
  • • Poet-a-Day
  • • Poets and Poems
  • • 50 States Projects
  • • Charlotte Perkins Gilman Poems Library
  • • Edgar Allan Poe Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Blake Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Shakespeare Sonnet Library

Celebrate With Us

  • • Poem on Your Pillow Day
  • • Poetic Earth Month
  • • Poet in a Cupcake Day
  • • Poetry at Work Day
  • • Random Acts of Poetry Day
  • • Take Your Poet to School Week
  • • Take Your Poet to Work Day

Gift Ideas

  • • Every Day Poems
  • • Our Shop
  • • Everybody Loves a Book!

Connect

  • • Donate
  • • Blog Buttons
  • • By Heart
  • • Shop for Tweetspeak Fun Stuff

Copyright © 2023 Tweetspeak Poetry · FAQ, Disclosure & Privacy Policy

We serve poetry with our cookies. Because that's the way it should be.
We serve poetry with your cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you... accept the cookies with a smile.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
update cookie prefs

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT