The Cardinal in the Tree: A Seed Poetry Series

Seed's picture
Since my revival, I've realized that I don't know...What I really feel about Sage, or what to do about it. I have come to a decision: I will write my way to the truth! And so I begin my series. Once upon a time, we spoke about deer that aren't 'real.' Deer like myself. And she likened them to something colorful and striking...And these poems all take shape around what was the reply I felt and didn't say, at the time. Now that I write it again, I don't now: was it a loving thought?

Most Recent
|I. |II. |III. |IV.| V.| VI.|VII.





VII.


You are the cardinal in the tree
And I watch your flight like an omen:
is there seeking in your path for me?
Or do you pass me thoughtlessly, some glen

catching your eye, sweeter to alight
upon than my graceless branches, that clearing
of my heart, where I tremble at the sight
of your herbal name, blues eyes, your scarlet figure nearing?

You words ring this song, a dirge
that shrouds me in your heart's weave:
you drift on red wings, not knowing the urge
To land in my branches or nest in my leaves.

And still I watch your flight shame heaven above
and taste in your shadow bittersweet love.


12-3-12





I.
You are the cardinal in the tree,
the sun to block out the moon from the sky;
to leave me wandering in sleepless nights?
You, who'd now more than ever see me as a bright bird;
Are you now to me heaven and earth
to save me from falling endlessly into the sky?

10-15-12




II.
You are the cardinal in the tree.
The tree lurks lost in the fog with me.
10-15-12





III.
You are the cardinal in the tree
and the focus of the world unfurls
from your wings; I watch you
over the shoulder of another:
I only see that shoulder, that neck
that frames you like art.

She nudges me for: I belong in the picture
framed by her spine. Yet I leave
the space she made between us
even after she has gone.
10-?-12





IV.
You are the cardinal in the tree
and I hunt your shadow in a world
where the reds are the color
of the shadows on the moon;
And I chase the scent of you
on the surface of the moon,
a pure white mirror of a world
that takes the air from my lungs'
and makes it a fog; do I know
what to do, if I found you
here on the moon? Your contrast-darkened
body, lithe as a rabbit, your shape
pounding my heart like mochi,
your fluffy banner of a tail
red as an eclipse?

No.

Still I seek, and see you,
the princess asleep on the moon,
and the air fills my lungs again.
11-1-12





V.


You are the red bird
asleep in the tree; I'd be
that tree to watch you

11-1-12




VI.

You are the cardinal in the tree,
painting the pattern of your motion,
your faded after-image, onto the world --

your hooves are brushes, tracing beyond
that decorated skull, revealing
your true face in its patterns,
in the sudden pop of color of your eyes.

Oh, to watch you paint one day, when you grasp
that you paint --
to watch you put your heart together,
to see you run the colors of your heart
across that cold disguise --
To see in full, like a rush of spring,
the bird that flights in and out
of my line of vision,
scarlet in a dark-green world.

11-16-12






VII.


You are the cardinal in the tree
And I watch your flight like an omen:
is there seeking in your path for me?
Or do you pass me thoughtlessly, some glen

catching your eye, sweeter to alight
upon than my graceless branches, that clearing
of my heart, where I tremble at the sight
of your herbal name, blues eyes, your scarlet figure nearing?

You words ring this song, a dirge
that shrouds me in your heart's weave:
you drift on red wings, not knowing the urge
To land in my branches or nest in my leaves.

And still I watch your flight shame heaven above
and taste in your shadow bittersweet love.


12-3-12








I think I've come to my answer; the one I'm satisfied with for now. And besides, I think I've about mined the idea to its core.
Maybe, one day, I'll show them to her...But more likely, that day will remain in my dreams...


((I think Seed's about done with these; but perhaps one day, his feelings will be stirred up and uncertain again...And maybe then he'll need to return to this project.
Also, what did people think about doing a series here?
I hope you all enjoy! If this is your first time reading some poetry by Seed, may I reccomend Seed's Poetry Corner?))
Honeyfur's picture

Omg yesyesyes Must track this

Omg yesyesyes
Must track this 8'D♥

The first one is beautiful. It put a smile on my face to see you/he used some of her own words for it. Excited to see the ones that follow! ♥
Seed's picture

Thanks ^^ I hope you're not

Thanks ^^
I hope you're not the only one...

Anyway, added another one inspired by asking for Ourania's opinion, and the three of them chilling out by the lake.

Edit the Second: Added two more, one a haiku, for watching in a foggy day.

Edited the third: I admit that this one was the impulse for the rest. He loves her, but now it seems to him that she does not love him, so he may have a bit more to write, but it seems...About like his feelings are stable. I do hope someone other than Honeyfur has at least looked at these -- I may want to do a series again one day with Seed, though I'll have to think about a slightly more lively choice.
Gustiro's picture

Tracka-tracka-tracka

Tracka-tracka-tracka Tracka-tracka-tracka Choo Choo!

I'd like... comment or something but I am seriously not awake. XD
Seed's picture

At this point, even a track

At this point, even a track is pretty valuable to my understanding of the audience of all of this. Thanks ^^


Edit and Update: I think I've done the final one of the series, though I think the final lines of it may invite a sort of spin-off poem...We'll see.