Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

Whispering Trees

6/17/2026

17 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends!

I've a poem to share, but first a local tidbit. June 15th marked the beginning of the monsoon season in Arizona, and to everyone's surprise, a rainstorm mixed with hail pounded the greater Prescott area. I happened to be in the Sprouts Farmers Market when the storm hit. We customers began laughing because the store has a metal roof, and we couldn't hear anything or anyone - just thundering/pounding blasts. In most parts of the world, rain is a regular blessing. In the desert, it's an event. 😊

​Robbie guides this week's Tanka Tuesday, and her request is that we focus on trees. As I've mentioned in prior posts, I have a great love for trees and nature in general. I may physically walk alone, but I never feel alone. 

My simple Tanka:   
Picture
If you have a couple minutes, here's a short video on how trees communicate with each other - and maybe us. Who knows, perhaps in a couple of years, we will have tree interpreters.  Wouldn't that be fun? 😊

Have a wonderful week, and if you chat with trees, please share....
17 Comments
Priscilla Bettis link
6/18/2026 05:41:06

Beautiful poem, Gwen. I love the idea of trees dancing in the wind, and the image you have looks like a tree that has danced a lot in the wind!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2026 09:41:15

We regularly get strong winds in the afternoon, and there's a lot of dancing going on. Thank you, Priscilla. 😊

Reply
John W. Howell link
6/18/2026 06:04:23

A lovely poem and fascinating video, Gwen. I talk to my magnolia, and hopefully one day it will talk back, or maybe I'll learn its language. 😊

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2026 09:40:00

Thank you, John, for the kind words. I bet your Magnolia tree looks forward to your hellos. 😊

Reply
Tim Dittmer link
6/18/2026 13:25:02

Lovely tanka and picture of the tree, Gwen! I've heard of the monsoon season in Arizona from my brother-in-law who lives in the SaddleBrooke community and has a Tucson address.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/19/2026 15:00:31

Thank you, Tim. Tucson is a few hours from our area, and it's a lovely area. The monsoon travels throughout the state and can be quite dramatic. Here's a peek: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2399248833893154

Reply
Yvette M. Calleiro link
6/18/2026 14:38:07

Beautiful poem, Gwen! Hail storms are no joke! Hope your car wasn't damaged.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/19/2026 15:01:24

I was fortunate enough to have my car in the garage when the worst of the storm hit. Thank you, Yvette. 😊

Reply
Liz Gauffreau link
6/18/2026 15:55:35

I love your tribute to trees! I'll be very interested to learn the results of scientific research into tree energy.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/19/2026 15:02:25

Thank you, Liz. I'm with you -- I'm excited to hear more about tree communications. 😊

Reply
Thomas Wikman link
6/18/2026 22:54:53

It is a beautiful poem. "just thundering/pounding blasts" - that rain would certainly frighten our little Rollo. The tree video was fascinating. It is fascinating research. I recently read a book on this topic and I am planning on a related future "super fact" for my blog. I love walking in the forest and when I was a kid I spent probably 5-10 hours in the north Scandinavian forests every day.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/19/2026 15:03:49

Oh my goodness, Thomas, I'd love to read your "Super Fact" post when it's ready. Thank you for sharing and for the kind words. 😊

Reply
Jan Sikes
6/20/2026 09:46:18

What a beautiful poem. I do believe all forms of nature communicate with each other and with us if we listen closely enough. Glad you were safe inside Sprouts while the storm raged.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/20/2026 10:32:12

I'm with you, Jan, in believing that all forms of nature communicate with one another. Thank you for the kind words. 😊

Reply
Paul Cannon link
6/22/2026 08:39:25

That is one gnarly tree, a real survivor. I also am fascinated with trees, and how they communicate. I love the tanka, it speaks loudly in its simplicity.

Reply
Colleen link
6/22/2026 09:49:08

Gwen, I love your tanka and choice of tree. Oh, yes. I remember how those monsoons were quite an event! I recently read that trees connect through their roots. My pine hedge in my backyard is growing well. Sending you big hugs. 🤗 💜

Reply
D. L. Finn
6/23/2026 08:57:37

Love the poem and the tree, Gwen. I would love to be able to communicate with trees :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    June 2026
    May 2026
    April 2026
    March 2026
    February 2026
    January 2026
    December 2025
    November 2025
    October 2025
    September 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama, Sumarie Slabber, denisbin, Go-tea 郭天