I made a deal with the devil.
I felt it in my stomach like a rock plummeting through the ocean
Pushing me down, down.
I felt off.
I felt wrong
But I couldn’t place it
A memory flashed before my eyes
The tree I planted so long ago.
It kept me safe and warm all those nights.
It held me close even from afar.
The leaves now fallen
The bark dried and cracked.
There was no life left.
I could see it.
I could feel it.
There was nothing
Nothing left me
And I was left with nothing.
Everything left me
And I was left with everything
I felt nothing and everything
There was nothing to stop my plummeting body
Falling to the ground
My own cries deafened me
I could see everything.
I could hear everything.
I could feel everything.
I could see nothing.
I could hear nothing.
I could feel
Nothing.
Written by: Joel Stoneburner
This poem leaves me feeling empty, not necessarily sad, but more like a clean slate. I am wondering if the tree represents your parents? You have said before how they let you down when you were in the coming out stage of your life. I hope you found some peace in forging your own identity Michael.
No, the tree didn’t represent my parents for me. I think my tree was more along the lines of losing a friend. What would ‘the tree’ symbolise for you? Interesting how the poem left you feeling empty where as for me it left me feeling full of longing and love and remembrance. I love how poetry can inspire thoughts and feelings differently, as would viewing a painting or listening to music.