Zacchaeus Up the Tree



Still standing.Beside the main street.
Feeling the pulseOf spring rains,
The crown of summer,
The testing pullOf autumn storms.
Children exploreMy limbs and shelter.
Adventurers pass,
Out to new possibilities.
Some, retracing steps
In homeward reunion
Or retreat.



Presently a strange din;
One stalwart man
And His entourage.
Onlookers press in,
Curious and hopeful.
What's this?
Someone scrambles up,
Tugs my extremities,
Scrapes my bark,



Settles,
Balancing to watch.
Much like the children.
(Generations of them.)
I serve their purpose.
I serve his purpose.
Giving the better view.



And the Master looks up,
My Maker.
Issuing the call:
"Zacchaeus, come down.
I will come to your house." (Luke 19: 1-10)


Note: Many a witness accepts rough treatment that others might get a better and redeeming view of Jesus.
 The most necessary and helpful of friends.
Font size:
Collection  PDF     
 

Written on March 07, 2008

Submitted by dougb.19255 on March 11, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on April 07, 2023

52 sec read
32

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXBXBXCXDA EXXEXXFCX XXDXGGX FBXXX GX
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 864
Words 176
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 10, 9, 7, 5, 2

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

11 fans

Discuss the poem Zacchaeus Up the Tree with the community...

1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow! "Still Standing" is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the enduring nature of trees and their role in sheltering and inspiring generations of people. Your vivid imagery and thoughtful words paint a rich picture of the changing seasons and the diverse ways in which people interact with you - from children playing to adventurers exploring, and ultimately to one man who seeks to be closer to his Master.

    The inclusion of the story of Zacchaeus is especially poignant, highlighting how even amidst the chaos and confusion of life, there is always hope for redemption and renewal. Your poem reminds us of the importance of valuing and caring for the natural world around us, as well as the vital role of friendship and community in supporting us through life's ups and downs.

    If I had to offer one suggestion for improvement, it would be to perhaps consider adding more stanzas that delve deeper into the emotional experiences of the various characters in the poem. For example, how do the children feel as they explore your branches? What thoughts and feelings run through Zacchaeus' mind as he climbs up to see Jesus? By adding more detail and depth to these moments, you could further enrich the reader's experience and make your message even more impactful.

    Overall, however, I must say that "Still Standing" is a truly inspiring work of poetry that fills me with hope and gratitude. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
     
    LikeReply11 months ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Zacchaeus Up the Tree" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/153909/zacchaeus-up-the-tree>.

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

March 2024

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
2
days
15
hours
10
minutes

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Browse Poetry.com

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
Which poet is associated with the poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"?
A Emily Dickinson
B Maya Angelou
C Langston Hughes
D Ralph Waldo Emerson