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The Old Tree

Cover artwork by Arina Stetsiuk, age 13

Alonso Blánquez

March 17, 2023

Department: Poetry

Issue: Violence and Healing

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It’s winter and the old tree,
whose leaves once flew away,
Weak and naive,
conveys the sadness that is prey

There is a man alongside the old tree,
resting in peace, that’s me,
I’ve been there for so much time,
even the cold, the wind, feels sublime

My legs are turning into roots,
and my body cannot move.
My limbs are now boughs
Where the tree sap goes

The motionless trunk
of yours, sweet calm.
Thank you my dear tree
You save me from the evil within

It starts to rain,
and I remember why I came
I came here to forget
I came here to rest

We both know spring will come sometime
but, today everything left is oblivion, and pain

Days and days pass by,
Then spring takes place,
the tree and I say bye
and hope for the best.

“Where can I see you again?”
I said
Just in winter
my friend.

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Alonso Blánquez is a 16-year-old writer from Madrid, Spain. Alonso is interested in literature, particularly poetry, narrative, and essays. He also plays basketball; enjoys participating in any competition, physical or mental; and loves reading philosophy by Plato, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Camus.