He gazed sadly at the dark gray Holly Oak,
where he spent fond Summers of days long past,
in the tree house his dad had helped him build,
playing “make-believe” as if it would forever last.

This backyard tree is large, some forty feet tall,
with the canopy width not very far from the same.
But it’s terribly ancient now, untold years old,
and disease and oak moths have laid their claim.

John, in his fifties now, grew up with this Oak,
and refers to it unabashedly as almost a friend.
Even as an adult he greatly admired it’s smooth bark,
and each Summer, on yellow flowers and acorns depend.

But on this day John knew he had no choice,
and picked up the phone to call a tree service.
He could easily tell his tree was surely ailing,
doubts it can survive making him somewhat nervous.

As it turned out, John’s premonition was right,
the Oak was just too infected to try and spare.
The tree company removed it, grinding the stump,
and in it’s place planted an Idaho Locust there.

John was a bit disappointed about his Oak “friend”,
but didn’t let it bother him for more than a day.
After all, it’s not the same as losing a person or pet
so he bid the Oak goodbye without further dismay.

John was happy to have the Idaho Locust now planted too,
a tree that produces loads of pink flowers each Spring.
Of course it’ll take some time to reach full maturity,
but one day clusters of magenta happiness it will bring.

For “DaBard” Eugene Noel Wells, the author of the original poetry on the PoetryMine.Com website that all too brief precious time has come and gone. Eugene Noel Wells was born on November 26, 1944 and suddenly died on September 15, 2009. He would have been exactly 65 on Thanksgiving Day this year.

DaBard compared a life on this earth, in agreement with William Shakespeare, to a part played out on a grand stage.

At birth one enters from stage left. You play your assigned role and then exit stage right. Most players have small bit parts, a few are principal players, and fewer still have major roles. Eugene thought that you had best play your role well, even upgrading it if you possibly could, as you could never tell when you might be rushed off to exit right

Eugene may have exited the stage but his poetry lives on. Over the coming weeks I will repost his poems in their original form. Hopefully Eugene will approve as to the way the site is reconstructed. The new PoetryMine.Com site is meant to be a memorial to Eugene and his poetry as well as a celebration of his life.

The “DaBard” who loved poetry will write no more. He is not with us physically but for those who loved and cared for Eugene Noel his presence will always remain.

I am one who loved Eugene and will often think of him. I dedicate this website to the memory of my brother and to his family, friends, and to those Eugene touched with his poetry.