This is part of the bark of a Plane Tree - but with nothing plain about it, I'm sure you'll agree.
I've spoken before about the fascination I have for this particular specimen, which overshadows a slatted wooden bench with its green canopy. This morning, blustery winds stirred its branches, while sunshine created dappled patterns at its feet.
I had at last remembered to take my camera when I went shopping in Havant earlier, and made good use of it once the errands were completed. The point where the trunk splits into branches is gnarled and knotted, and fires the imagination. What do you see, when you look at its face?
I think today it had the appearance of a giraffe - or maybe a mythical, many horned version of one; I guess it depends on the lighting. Sometimes it looks almost human, as it stares back at me below... That's fine, as long as it doesn't start speaking its thoughts aloud, eh? I might not like to hear what it has to say...
Amazing what you can see if you are looking.
ReplyDeletetrue..
ReplyDeletelove your thoughts here.
Or you answering!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking giraffe-like before I read your impression.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally into bark too. Love the picture.
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting, beautiful trees but sadly they don't support much wild life.
ReplyDelete"What do you see, when you look at its face? "
ReplyDeleteI see the back of a polydactylic, scabrous and deformed hand with a supurating wound at base of third and pinky fingers. Straight out of a horror movie. Going for your throat in your worst nightmares HeHeHe.
Not the whole tree of course, just the bit in the photo . . .
Well you did arsk . . .
What it is to have a vivid imagination, eh Doc? Good job there are other, less horrific suggestions from my saner Blogpals! Hehehe indeed!
ReplyDeleteSorry to bring you down to earth Jinksy, that looks very much like an ancient, arthritic hand to me.
ReplyDeleteDamn, the good doctor got there before me, I've just read his comment.
Only his vision is even worse than mine.
I'm with you Jinksy, I can visualize a giraffe!
ReplyDeleteYou have a good imagination, and that is a necessary thing for a poet. A giraffe, it is!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I used to be an avid gardener but I'd never heard of a Plane Tree until I saw your blog post. You learn something new every day. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe second photo reminds me of King Neptune, ruler of the oceans. (I have no idea why) lol
jinksy plane trees have amazing bark and you've really caught something lovely here with your photograph. trees - well they talk and tell stories that's for sure!!! steven
ReplyDeleteI love old trees jinsky, I find they speak to me in many different ways, they are so beautiful......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeletePS: It worked! thank you very much, xo
I see the giraffe too. Did you know that Paris is full of Plane trees?
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to sound all treehuggerish, but have you put your hand against it? From some trees you can actually feel energy flowing through your hand.
Lovely image of the bark. Your post reminds me of a tree near us - only yards away - when I was a boy. It had been struck by lightning and the trunk was partly scorched with the most wonderful patterns. Stand away and the tree became a witch - even better, was that!
ReplyDeleteI also used to have to pass a whole line of plane trees on my way to school and often used to wonder at the bark.
I can see the giraffe but I had more of a giant squid in mind! The bark certainly is very attractive. Hope you weren't attracting bemused looks from the other good folk of Havant!
ReplyDeleteit's reaching, reaching, reaching for something just beyond its grasp.
ReplyDelete