They Gather Again Beneath the Tree

author’s note:

Should I be protesting?

This poem is a protest.


THEY GATHER AGAIN BENEATH THE TREE

For many years
people gathered around
the ancient tree in the center of the town
at the end of every day
because
according to legend
the big tree would soon die
without that show of appreciation.

However, they performed no special ritual during that hour—
the townsfolk merely sat on benches
and conversed about their day—

using only gentle words of acceptance—
they believed they’d hurt the tree
by griping or growling or groaning.

But then after all the elders died
those who rose to take the yoke
did not want to waste their time
continuing some silly superstition.

Just look that tree!
they’d laugh.
Still strong—
though those old fogies are gone.

Yes, the legend was wrong—
the tree didn’t get strength from people—
people got strength from the tree.

Anyone who sat for a brief while
beneath its broad wings
received without knowing
an invisible mist of energy:
an infusion fortifying spirit and blood.
A gift of love.

A blessing lost
when people abandoned the tree
a blessing needed

as change began to spin
the whole town around
and dust devils dimmed
feeling and thought.

Even the simplest activity
became a struggle in that chaos.

Finally, some began to realize
they must stop amid the madness
and rest
and try to clear their heads.

And what better place
than beneath the ancient tree
in the center of town
and what better time
than at the end of each day.

But unlike those who’d come before
they did not soften their speech—no
that great tree now heard
a lot of griping
and growling
and groaning.

But the tree accepted the cacophony
with the wisdom of empathy
and continued to ease people’s wounds
with its secret blessing of love

just as it had in the past
when the townsfolk had tried to hide their pain
under gentle speech
while resting beneath
those strong broad wings.

Myth Steps: poetry book
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© 2025, Michael R. Patton

I Have Found A Lot While Lost

author’s note:

Continuing a theme.  Or maybe I’m just repeating myself.


I HAVE FOUND A LOT WHILE LOST

Often in this life
I’ve traveled a long way down a road
without finding what I hoped to find.

And when I’d finally give up
I would feel my efforts had all been for naught.

But later, looking back
I would see:

how I’d found so much
while trying to find
what I then realized
I didn’t really need.

mythsteps · I have found a lot while lost

Searching for my best beliefs: poetry book
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© 2025, Michael R. Patton

Going Somewhere

author’s note:

Use of the word “nowhere” has spiked in recent years.

I wonder what that says about us.


GOING SOMEWHERE

I’m often disturbed
by how we use the word
“Nowhere”.

Just the other day
I overheard someone say:
The road went nowhere—
the dirt tracks disappeared
as soon as we reached the trees.

How very wrong he was:
any road that leads you to a forest
goes somewhere—goes to a forest.

And even if the road had ended
before reaching the tree line
it would still have gone somewhere
because every place on Earth is a place.

A fact I find encouraging
as I approach a new road:

I know
no matter how it ends
my efforts will definitely lead somewhere

and each step along the way
will take me to
a new place—another place
to be explored.

mythsteps · going somewhere

Myth Steps: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2025, Michael R. Patton