Rate:4.6 / 9 votes

The Maple

John W. May

Ballad
When times of desperation greet me
With tempest and with livid storm,
And violent winds wish to defeat me,
And swallow me within their swarm ...

I will remember where I'm rooted,
And there with courage will abide;
And though the winds my leaves have looted,
Maintain my faith, though it be tried.

So let the darkest storm clouds thunder—
Let rain and wind their havocs wreak!
The world around me wide will wonder
How I stand strong yet seem so weak ...

About this poem

... wrote this poem a while back, in a time of struggle, and dedicate it to anyone who might glean any benefit or strength from it.

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Submitted by Vixility on July 18, 2023

Modified by Vixility on July 18, 2023

27 sec read
382

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 456
Words 91
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4
Full analysis for The Maple »

John W. May

John W. May has lived in Colorado all his life. He currently works in the field of ophthalmology and loves to mountain bike and read about history. John first became a lover of poetry in 2008 after having read a poem by John Milton. He has been reading and studying the works of various poets since. His favorite poets are Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Tyutchev and W. B. Yeats. more…

All John W. May poems | John W. May Books

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Discuss the poem The Maple with the community...

14 Comments
  • nfowke
    nfowke
    'Deep poetry' is born in the storms of life. I really liked this piece and will come back to it.
    LikeReply7 months ago
  • JokerGem
    JokerGem
    Another dynamite effort - no matter how old!
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Heck yeah! The rhyme scheme was a lot of to play with. Still working on a subject for that tetractys.
      LikeReply9 months ago
    • JokerGem
      JokerGem
      Try and have fun with the process; with the form being so rigid, word choice becomes so essential....l was going to say, let me know when you write and post it but happily the site will take care of notifications.
      LikeReply 19 months ago
  • vandhana_k
    vandhana_k
    Right
    LikeReply 19 months ago
  • Kaytee
    Kaytee
    Great poem, I love the picture you painted of staying rooted despite the storm.
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Hey, thank you. Your work "The Tempest" was a magnificent piece! One of the best free verse poems I've read in a long time. I also appreciate the complexity of some of the poetic forms you choose: "Pantoum on Loss" was an impressive read. 
      LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Kaytee
      Kaytee
      thanks so much. Your poem The Witch of Aberdeen is amazing. It definitely deserved first prize. Looking forward to reading more of your poetry.
      LikeReply9 months ago
  • luisestable1
    luisestable1
    A good poem about being brave or hopeful in the face of troubles. One thing to notice is the excellent diction and the well carried out rhyme scheme.
    This poem is a pleasure to read for the optimistic massage it delivers. 
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Hey, thanks for the stop by! Yeah, digging your sonnets. Your other forms are equally impressive—I especially like your [tragic] Song #5.
      LikeReply9 months ago
  • dougb.19255
    dougb.19255
    John take a look at some of the long narrative poems by John Masefield. eg. Dobber and The Everlasting Mercy.
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • dougb.19255
    dougb.19255
    Try out this site. http://histocall.blogspot.com/
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • dougb.19255
    dougb.19255
    Livid, looted, havocs. All words that arrest a reader. Faith having been tried and found overcoming, and eventually audacious…Wayne Blair…gives a four and now follows.
    LikeReply9 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Hi there, ‘Gold Member’ Doug Blair. If you want me to check out those links you flooded this thread with: I will do so only after you visit and read and leave a comment on a poem to each of the other writers who left a comment here. 
      LikeReply 19 months ago
    • dougb.19255
      dougb.19255
      a little testy are we. Ignore my comments if you want. But for Heavens sakes read some of the English laureate John Masefield. He is one of the greats. Far beyond either of us. Much about the Sea and Gospel themes. I was appreciating your work, and that alone. I think you also want to take a jab at my gold membership designations. Why? Did you sleep poorly? Get a tummy ache? Take a breather…Doug Blair /Wayne Blair 
      LikeReply9 months ago
    • lovingempath
      lovingempath
      Your sour attitude taints this site with your hypocritical 'Christian' values and your arrogant attitude toward the other poets Doug. I wonder if you sleep well.
      LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      I’m honestly not interested in conflict. I just thought that as a long term gold member you would have included your references in your actual comment itself, rather than in multiple comment blocks—where it would distract from the comments of other poets: hence my compromise with you. That said, thank you for your initial comment. I do appreciate it. 
      LikeReply 19 months ago
    • dougb.21370
      dougb.21370
      lets stop there on a note of mutual respect. Now it seems another is ragging on my so called Christian slant. Can’t get ahead on this strain. Stopping here. Sheesh. Doug. Sayonara lovingmepath. Nighty night. 
      LikeReply9 months ago
    • dougb.21370
      dougb.21370
      oops I was referring to lovingempath…Someone named Robin?
      LikeReply9 months ago
  • Jewoo525
    Jewoo525
    Nice. Good stuff man! Looking forward to your entry into this month's contest John.
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Hey, very much appreciated! I’m a fan of your works as well. Thank you for stopping by and checking out this piece.
      LikeReply 19 months ago
  • Symmetry60
    Symmetry60
    There is absolutely no question that you were born to write, John. You have the X Factor that so many seek. This is remarkable work.
    LikeReply 29 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      That’s a huge compliment—especially in the presence of so many extremely gifted writers. Greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you for stopping by …
      LikeReply 19 months ago
  • luisestable1
    luisestable1
    Nothing wrong with this take a difficult moments, but only the strongest have the will to be to successful in the face of troubles; most of us would cry for release.
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      I’m reminded of the [paraphrased] quote: “They know not their own strength who have not suffered adversity.”
      LikeReply9 months ago
  • lovingempath
    lovingempath
    Everything about this poem is beautiful and relatable. I am never disappointed by anything you write John.
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Thank you, Robin. That’s very sweet of you to say.
      LikeReply 19 months ago
  • lorlor
    lorlor
    I really enjoyed reading your poem, Mr. May. I hope one day I am as good as you are :).
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • Vixility
      Vixility
      Hey, thank you! I stopped by and read a few of your works. You’re an exceptionally talented writer: I like the subjects you choose and the way you use crisp imagery. I’ll stop by more often.
      LikeReply9 months ago
    • lorlor
      lorlor
      thank you so much for reading my poems :D
      LikeReply9 months ago

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"The Maple" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/164738/the-maple>.

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