The Bottle Tree is a southern folk art tradition that is slowly dying. It was magic as a child...to find one in the woods or growing along the marsh near the coast. It was special to grow up with the magic that was Dixie. It was healthy, mysterious and creative.
~Susan~
In the distance came a tingle
Glass hitting glass
The air waved sound of jingle
Infused metallic sass
Each time the breeze whistled
The air created whine
The old oak tree was singing
A Mystical chime
We all thought it magic
Fairies in a band
Tiny metallic tickles
Traces in the sands
We all ran and wondered
In awe the oak had us
Parents came a running
"What was all the fuss?"
The oak tree was singing
The air was her song
Bottles hung from fishing line
The wind swept song along
This mighty tree came alive
In animated tune
The fairies hung the bottles there
Beneath an Autumn moon
Fantasies were happening
As fireflies danced a beat
Living then was magic time
Humidity and heat
The bottle tree kept growing
With livid colors bloomed
In glowing music touched by
The mighty autumn moon.
Marvellous write and great idea these bottle trees.
Felix
Reviewed by A. Santo (Reader)
Reviewed on March 25, 2006
You give "old traditions" new breath. I grew up in Alabama with - bottle trees- and as soon as I saw that picture I feel in love with them all over again. Thank you for sharing the magic. ;)
Susan, a write of wondrous enchantment and beauty! You bring to life everything you write about, it is a gift you have and we are fortunate that you share it with us! Thank you!I love the pic
that you gave life to!
Eileen
Reviewed by Mark Mahoney (Reader)
Reviewed on March 25, 2006
brilliant write Susan, such vivid description you most certainly painted here, love the whole idea of growing up with such a wonderful magical tradition, you made it all come alive, again a brilliant write, very well done...take good care of you and yours...Mark x
Has all the magic and charm of wonderful Dixieland.....
We should always preserve these cherished traditions and memories for future generations to taste and savor, Susan
I have heard of these enchanting trees, as well as turpentine trees !
My favorite trees are Golden Laburnum ( Golden rain tree ) and Monkey Puzzle Trees !
Super and captivating picture
Blessings
Peter
a magical poem illustrating a wonderfully whimsical tradition ... the bottle wind must be a delightful chorus of song ... the blue bottles add a really beautiful and vivid contrast ... when i was a child i remember a sneaker tree but it was magical it really looked quite silly ...
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on March 25, 2006
Gawd, I haven't even thought of bottle trees in years. Great poem, makes me think of my Uncle Louie who had a nickel tree in his front yard. At least that's what I called it. Whenever I would go visit he always seemed to be able to find a few nickles growing among the old elm trees' foliage. Took me a long time to figure out that the tree itself wasn't magical, my uncle was. Thank you for jogging my memory.
I've never heard of a bottle tree! I wish I could find one now, to experience the joy and wonder you obviously experienced. A lovely write, enjoyed. Saving this one, to remember...
Love the whimsy of this tradition. I remember blowing into bottles and each shape had its own sound. I can hear that wind whistling through those bottles and the kid's delight. Wonderful rhyme and feeling! This would make a lovely children's book, Susan. I hope you
are carrying on the tradition in your family. These are memories that linger and infuse life with wonder...
Lin
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on March 24, 2006
Thank you for sharing this with us! Anything connected with magic and fantasy has my attention :-)
325 letters my father wrote to my mother during his time in World War II.
Woven together in a timeline of events of three of his brothers, 5 brothers-in-law, and one cousin, all 10 of them were in WWII at the same time.
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Ron
Felix
that you gave life to!
Eileen
We should always preserve these cherished traditions and memories for future generations to taste and savor, Susan
I have heard of these enchanting trees, as well as turpentine trees !
My favorite trees are Golden Laburnum ( Golden rain tree ) and Monkey Puzzle Trees !
Super and captivating picture
Blessings
Peter
Love it!!
love Tinka
I've never heard of a bottle tree! I wish I could find one now, to experience the joy and wonder you obviously experienced. A lovely write, enjoyed. Saving this one, to remember...
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
are carrying on the tradition in your family. These are memories that linger and infuse life with wonder...
Lin