Today at dVerse, we are on day #5 of our fifth anniversary celebration. Gayle is our host and has interviewed Anthony Desmond, a former member of dVerse. He is an amazing poet who always inspires. Come and visit us. Part Five; Revisiting Anthony Desmond
I Still Believe
“For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get” Tim Cappelo from Lost Boys
And after all these years, here I am.
Up in the cradling branch of this ancient oak
in the woods adjacent to my home.
I’ve been a tree climber since I was six.
Being in trees centers me.
As I draw the bow across my beat up violin,
I am taken back to way back when.
And all the years in between –
all the pain, the laughter, the friends,
my family, wars, deaths, massacres, injustices,
courtesies, kindnesses…
I realize that I still believe.
I need the hope of belief rather
than the sword slash of bitterness,
prejudice, all the political bull shit that never stops.
I look across at the endless ocean of green
in front of me. I realize
as I draw the bow across the strings
for “La Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid.
No. 6, Op. 30” by Boccherini
that I still believe.
The song begins its lilt as I form the chords.
I am at peace.
Birds begin to sing.
kanzen sakura 
Jul 22, 2016 @ 15:43:01
I love the hope and joy in this, Toni, and that you still believe…it has served you well my friend.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 15:48:31
Thank you. Hope is what gets me by
Jul 22, 2016 @ 15:50:05
Oh the thought of finding peace in that tree playing the violin, what a wonderful mean to find something positive… I think I need to find my own tree sometimes.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 15:51:48
That sounds like a wonderful idea. That strength behind your back, the cradle of the branches – I love it when it snows.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 15:58:49
I specially love this part:
I need the hope of belief rather
than the sword slash of bitterness
Good for you to believe in music, peace and kindness. Have a great weekend!!!
Jul 22, 2016 @ 16:08:45
I have need of faith and belief as well. How can I not in a world as rough as ours. I have a hard time believing those that say they have none…even in unbelief they believe on something. ..even if it is in themselves. ..I Def don’t have enough belief in myself not to believe in something greater.
And i still love to climb trees.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 16:37:07
Playing violin up in the tree? Wow! I’m impressed. Such a poem of hope at time when things are … challenging our beliefs.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 16:37:23
That’s necessary for sure. You must have something to believe in. It doesn’t have to be a god, but something; yourself, other people, that things will get better, etc. Such beauty in this write, Toni. Thank you.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:36:23
Thank you Anthony. It is good to connect with you again. And in spite of everything, we must have hope.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 16:42:28
Tis said the all is bent on hope 🙂 and you prove this so well ❤
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:35:36
Thank you Sanaa
Jul 22, 2016 @ 17:58:32
One feels so let down by the ills faced in life. There is so much impacting on us. And through no fault of our own. But having been a ‘climber’ since small one can be better prepared. That is the bargain! To face up with preparedness is for a better chance to be successful. Very true Toni!
Hank
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:35:19
And if we lose our hope, we lose it all.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 19:18:16
Toni, I just love this. I love climbing trees though it’s been a while. There is a tree down in the desert that tempts me so much. That aside, I am so concerned about the political BS–so many just vote on what they read in the papers. And it is so often so distorted. That’s my gripe today.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:34:33
The events of the past few days have truly saddened me. The RNC convention, the shootings at Munich. I am so tired of seeing white coverings over bodies, especially when the bundles are so very small.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 20:17:13
I can imagine being in that tree and enjoying the music. Such a peaceful picture
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:32:20
Yes it really is.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 20:52:07
The vibe I’ve always picked up from you is spiritual, metaphysical, another old soul sorting out her stuff during this lifetime. I STILL BELIEVE…damn rights, a terrific mantra, something to print on a sweatshirt–something inexorable, everlasting; wow, you in that tree bowing your strings is quite the image. Do you own a cross bow as well?
Jul 22, 2016 @ 21:10:39
Lol, I actually do with stainless steel quarrels. I once shot a Chevy years ago. Nailed the sucker. The song is one of my favorites. The sword and crossbow are my weapons. Training for 35 years on the bow and 40 with the sword. 64 years young and truly I still do believe.
Jul 22, 2016 @ 23:15:10
“Up in the cradling branch of this ancient oak
in the woods adjacent to my home.”
I love the rhyme here:
cradling, ancient, adjacent
oak, home
You have a great ear.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:31:56
Thank you! I try!
Jul 23, 2016 @ 00:27:11
A lovely positive statement.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:31:36
Thank you.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 04:53:07
Being in trees always invigorates…Nature is energy itself..a beautifully uplifting poem…
Jul 23, 2016 @ 09:31:23
Thank you so much.
Jul 23, 2016 @ 17:18:38
Thank you!
Jul 23, 2016 @ 19:16:32
Love this ray of hope Toni. Glad to see you are a tree person too – what wonderful sentinels of nature they are.
Kind regards
Anna :o]
Jul 24, 2016 @ 13:06:02
Trees are so amazing. I hope I never get too old to climb one.
Jul 24, 2016 @ 03:49:19
Holding on to peace and hope in the face of it all… wonderful.
Jul 24, 2016 @ 13:06:14
Thank you!
Jul 24, 2016 @ 15:03:24
So full of the power of hope. I am a lifelong lover of trees, too, and feel in your words that kindred spirit of understanding that comes from someone who knows firsthand the power they have to cradle us in our sorrows and in our joys 🙂
Jul 24, 2016 @ 17:01:56
Thank you. I remember the guest shot you did for dVerse and how you used healing/peace in nature for it. I wish you’d come visit us again and give us another wonderful prompt!