hollow | nichepoetryandprose

poetry and prose about place

Posts Tagged ‘hollow’

hidden in the hollow heart of an oak

Hollow trees create mysterious spaces in the woods.

When I was young, a hollow in a tree was a secret hiding place for treasures, and one of my favourite books was a Nancy Drew mystery – “The Message in the Hollow Oak”. In the story, a hollow tree is used as a secret mailbox between long lost lovers.

: Carolyn Keene 1935 The Message in the Hollow Oak (a later edition, probably around 1965)

The best use of cavities in trees or logs is as habitat for insects, bats, owls and other small animals. Hollows are good locations for foraging. They also create shelter, and provide a place for nesting. Animals who use hollow trees or logs for habitat are called “hollow-dependant”.

a hollow log in the woods

Cavities are usually found in mature trees. Their importance as habitat is a good reason for protecting older, mature trees in the woodlot. When my son was young, we made wooden signs saying “DEN TREE” for the older hollow trees in our woods, so we would remember not to cut them down.

Do you know a hollow tree and would you reach into the cavity to retrieve a letter???

requesting the favour of a reply

these leafless trees

brush against

a linen sky

ink strokes

on rice paper

letters

penned at midnight

hidden in the hollow

heart of an oak

afraid to reach in