An Old Friend



“Let me tell you a story” ~
the oldest of all good lines.
It begins with you
and ends with me,
as many good stories do.
I can already see you smiling.

Yes, when you were born
you were so small,
as most newborns are.
Time passed and you grew
into the tallest amongst us.
You whispered words of kindness
and sheltered all in need.

In springtime, your bounty
delighted us,
and in summer, it grew,
until, in autumn, you gave it to me.
In the sweetness of preserves,
your generosity will be
remembered throughout
the long winter.

Your arms reach up to the sky,
while your feet are firmly
bound by the warm earth.
Your body is now wizened,
yet still strong and full of life.
For many years to come we will
keep each other company,
and I will read stories
beneath your friendly boughs.
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Submitted on May 02, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

44 sec read
3

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXBABX XXXBCCX ACBAXAXX XAXXXXAXX
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 753
Words 147
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 6, 7, 8, 9

Inge Meldgaard

Born in Denmark in 1953, I migrated to Australia with my family in 1957. After spending my school years in Yallourn, I moved to Melbourne in 1970 to attend Monash University. Having graduated with a science degree in 1975, I worked in various fields, such as youth work, teaching, politics (with a special interest in the natural environment), social research, community development, and finally, information technology. I have also completed two graduate diplomas: one in sociology and the other in information technology, both at Swinburne University. Now retired, my last position was as an IT Manager at Monash University. Gardening, art, poetry and writing have also been life-long interests.I have recently published my first book, 'The Cicada', which is a crime/mystery novel, set in Australia, four hundred years into the future.Website: ingemeldgaard.daportfolio.com more…

All Inge Meldgaard poems | Inge Meldgaard Books

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