Liz’s Woodpeckered Tree
(Inspired by my painting, LIZ’S WOODPECKERED TREE
and from 2013 and a photo taken of same tree in Spring 2021)
Over 50 years ago you stood proud
arising from rocks, erect and full of life
yet time brought on the ravages of age
You evolved into a host for creepy, crawly things
a feast offered up for woodpeckers
who drilled your woody flesh and drained you of life
Today you rest upon the waters
waves lash you and strip away what bark remains,
yet you hang on, your roots held deep beneath the rocky shore.
This is tenacity, endurance, strength.
Against all odds, season after season, you remain
an icon to keeping on no matter the challenges we face.
This is beautiful Wendy! As I was reading it, I was transported over many years as my parents lived in Whitestone and MacKellar and then Parry Sound for over 30 years and I have done a lot of canoeing in these places during that time. As you
beautifully described the tree changing…the bark in the water and the roots…so many images drifted to the surface. Resilience of life is amazing and thank you for this wonderful reminder.
Thank you Ingrid. I glad it resurrected some wonderful memories for you.
I particularly love the part about being a feast for woodpeckers. It’s such an evocative image.
Thank you for your feedback. I’ve watched this tree for 11 years during its slow decline and marvelled at its ability to have thrived riddled with woodpecker holes.
What a beautiful tribute to an appreciated tree. Love the art showing alive and upright and then fallen.
Thanks Amy. I love trees and will probably write many more tributes to them.
How wonderful that you shared your paintings along with your words. You should submit one for the picture prompts next year – I loved this piece not only for how it elevated the painting but also, for how it reflected the best of what we’ve done this past year with ‘weathering’ the pandemic and how it is like a reminder to go on and keep working our way through!!
Thanks so much for your input Christie. I wanted it to deliver a message of hope
Enjoy thinking about the feasts of others. What is “gourmet” to some, is a dog’s breakfast to others.
Indeed!