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—Lost and Found. Presented by Laurie Klein
Trees—like people—go through cycles. They withstand many an onslaught. And like us, they generate scar tissue over a wound.
In today’s poem, Andrew Hudgins explores the way childhood hurts shape our identity. Listen, as he relates a poignant, coming-of-age “Back Story.”
Or is it a “Lost-and-Found Story”? You decide . . .
[“Tree” by Andrew Hudgins]
Poetry Prompt
If you were a tree, what kind would you be? What new name might you give yourself—just for today? I hope you’ll daydream about it; maybe try some brainstorming; perhaps, even write about it . . .
Browse More Poems to Listen By with Laurie Klein
Photo by Aah-Yeah, 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.”
Hudgins, Andrew, “Tree,” in The Glass Hammer: A Southern Childhood (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1995).
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- Poems to Listen By: Yondering—5: Upon Arrival - March 12, 2025
Katie says
“Trees – like people – go through cycles. They withstand many an onslaught. And like us, they generate scar tissue over a wound.”
Laurie, thank you for reading and sharing this whole poem series.
Trees, from conifers to broadleaves to palms have always drawn me in many ways. To stand at the foot of a tall pine and look up and up;
to sit under the shade of a spreading oak on a hot summer day; to marvel at the beauty of a flowering dogwood in spring. Such lavish gifts from the Creator.
This episode in particular helped me feel less alone today. Also, the harp music is soothing and cheering to my soul. Gratitude.
Laurie Klein says
Katie, I know what you mean. I love it when a poem meets us right where we are. I’m really grateful to hear that this one kept you (and, hopefully, will continue to keep you) company today.
Your images carry me through scenes and seasons and scents and weather on a cold, overcast day. Thank you. And thank you for listening to the series!
I’m glad the harp music soothes and cheers. I’ll let know Bill know. 🙂
Will Willingham says
Learning this about trees, that they cover their wounds, grow around them, but if you open them you can see every line, was something that changed the way I looked at a lot of things. Thank you for another beautiful selection, Laurie. 🙂
Laurie Klein says
Will, the way you describe it here really strikes me, especially the phrase “if you open them you can see every line.” That’s gonna haunt me today. 🙂 In a good way.
Have you perchance read The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben? I’ve not read the whole book but now, having read your comment, plan to move it closer to the top of the nearest-to-my- favorite-chair book stack.
L.L. Barkat says
Laurie! That is exactly the book I was looking for, but I didn’t know the title of it. Just put it on hold at the library. So happy you mentioned it. (I am loving this tree series and your beautiful voice. 🙂 )
Laurie Klein says
Oh, how timely! Knowing this makes me grin. I will imagine each of us curled up with a copy, buoyed by marvel and rustling truths and quirky, salient facts. 🙂 Happy reading . . .