Editor’s Note: “Poems to Listen By” is an audio series where, over time, we will explore some of the themes in the Poet Laura checklist, as well as Tweetspeak’s “Year of Wisdom” theme throughout 2020.
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Poems to Listen By: Sharing the Canopy: 8 Ways Trees Embody Our Stories—Maple Grove. Presented by Laurie Klein
From graceful limbs to cambrium to tender sapwood, from understory to back story (and beyond!), trees—and tree poems—may seduce as well as bemuse.
Here’s a flirtatious poem, written by Paul J. Willis.
Madrona on the San Juans
Madrona, that strip tease of yours
is working again. The way you pearl
out of your bark, following your natural
bent, turns my head in smooth surprise.
Your arms reach over the bay with longing,
that supple skin, slightly sunburned,
blooming like a dusky rose.
In my poem “Maple Grove,” the autumn canopy trembles, and a story unfolds on two levels. For the maple trees, like the lovers meeting beneath them, sensuous beauties co-exist with troubles. As with trees, so it is, at times, with love stories: appetite begs accommodation.
Maple Grove
Hustle of edges—hear them?—
one leaf moving against another,
tissues juiced and swollen
with light, all the dappled coming
of hues barely withheld, quiescent
as scarves up a sleeve,
while into the trembling
canopy, clouds decant
champagne, and we kiss, blinded
to swarm: 10,000 mites
feast on these trees, secretly,
slowly enfolded in growths of each canny
maple’s making, grotesque little galls
weirdly bird-proof, immune
to swoop and peck, the smallest
talons on this most drinkable day
goosing our throats, because
appetite begs accommodation,
you, me, all these peelerstar
trees and their bugs
moving deep within bark
primed for sugaring.
Poetry Prompt
So dear listener, I can’t help wondering: What particular effervescence—despite your circumstances—is currently stirring within you like a good champagne? Or a kiss? If you were to write about it, what might you say?
Browse More Poems to Listen By with Laurie Klein
Photo by 白士 李, Creative Commons license via Flickr. Poems used with permission. Audio and script by Laurie Klein with thanks to Pat Stien for direction and Bill Klein for engineering and music from his solo album, “Lauda.”
Willis, Paul J., “Madrona on the San Juans,” in Deer at Twilight (Nagadoches, TX: Stephen F. Austin University Press, 2018), 38.
Klein, Laurie, “Maple Grove,” in WA129: Poems Selected By Tod Marshall: State Poet Laureate, 2016 – 2018 (Spokane, WA: Sage Hill Press, 2018).
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L.L. Barkat says
What a perfect reading for this time of year, when the maple over my driveway is reminding me that it’s “sugar snow” time. The sap is already running, even though the days are still cold! (I know this, because my car is covered in sap. 😉 )
As always, your reading inspires, Laurie. Love! 🙂
Laurie Klein says
L.L., I hadn’t thought of that when planning out the readings. How serendipitous. 🙂 Your maple makes me picture a rain of sweetness, but is it tricky removing the sap?
Thanks again for the opportunity to read for Tweetspeak!
Bethany R. says
Beautifully said. I’m also thoroughly enjoying the music. 🙂 Looking it up to listen to here at home.
(L.L., how do you manage to get the sap off your car? I’m sorry that happens.)
Laurie Klein says
Bethany, I’ll tell Bill you enjoy it. Thank you.
He hasn’t played his Celtic harp for a long time. It makes me happy to hear it again. I’ve always liked that Quaker tune. Thanks for listening!
Laura Lynn Brown says
So, dear read-alouder, one incipient effervescence stirring within is the desire to find people here to regularly play music with.
Laurie Klein says
Laura, I hope you find a jam circle of kindred spirits soon. I remember your skill and joy as you and Tania played at the Indiana gathering. And lightning speed! 🙂
Will Willingham says
“sensuous beauties co-exist with troubles”
Isn’t that the story of our worlds, if we would but see it
Thank you again for these beautiful readings, and reflections. (And so glad you featured a poem of your own in this collection. 🙂
Laurie Klein says
Will, thank you for following along with these readings, and for deepening that phrase for me today with your insightful comment. Just what I needed. 🙂
Megan Willome says
Laurie, all these have been such a treat. I read Paul J.Willis’ new collection last spring, and now I’m a big fan. I love how he writes about the flowers and trees of the West. In this case I’ve been to the San Juans, and I can picture this Madrona.
Speaking of trees, while flying through Denver I bought the best little poetry collection at the airport, called “Poems About Trees,” edited by Harry Thomas and published last year. It is bringing effervescence to my mornings.
Laurie Klein says
Hi Megan,
Thanks so much for following along with the series.
Paul used to teach at the university here, a prolific, versatile writer—essays, poems, fiction—and a marvelous guy. I’m glad you enjoy his work.
I’m going to look for the volume you mention. Snow again, this morning, and shoveling awaits. I could use a few bubbles while waiting for spring . . . 🙂