The Black Walnut Tree Poem by Deanna Samuels

The black walnut tree next door towers above that house 40ft or more
spreading long branches over their garden edge to the woods beyond.
The tree has numerous heavy boughs emanating from its huge trunk
reaching up and out at different heights and angles, some over our garden.
Foliage fern-like, lengthy stems with identical long narrow leaves either side
tapering to two smaller thin leaves at the very end of each stem.

Summertime tends to bring many interesting activities and surprises
within and on the fully grown fronds of lush green leaves
dotted with clusters of large green but ripening black shelled walnuts.
The nuts are not for human culinary delight as oozy black and far too bitter
but perfect for the wildlife that inhabits the area around.

Looking towards the tree while relaxing on shaded deck
there is often seen the unexpected movement of a branch or leaf.
Maybe a squirrel springing from branch to branch
quickly disappearing within the thickly leafed area.
Chipmunks too, scurrying up the trunk onto the branches
and perhaps a pair of doves or cardinals setting up home
behind the safety of the highly dense leafy boughs.
Even an occasional eagle coming to visit the upper heights
while numerous other species of bird fly in and out of the foliage
and rabbits scurry at tree base feasting on succulent grasses.

The black walnut tree, a source of nourishment for animals and birds
gives up its now tawny shelled fruit as autumn approaches.
A choice storage food for winter build-up of hibernation
and as the tree's autumn leaves brown, curl and fall,
once again, gives a show of skeletal stretched out boughs
revealing not one cluster or walnut remaining, its yearly charge done.
There it stands all Winter until next Spring, naked and unadorned
without leafy hiding places for the wildlife who stay at home.

Wrote at Courtice, Ontario on 6th August 2023