Ode to Annie's Fallen Chestnut Tree
Anne Frank's Diary and Her Reference to the Chestnut Tree Outside Her Window in the Annex
As I read your diary
And the Chestnut tree
Whispered nearby
Continuing to flourish
Now, it too has died
Tumbled with the wind
Not unlike those who
Stumbled in sin
From years past
Along with the holocaust, and you
It is dead, dead, dead
But never forgotten
Chestnuts and raindrops
Seedlings and shoots
Germans and Nazis
Provide truth
To your roots
One of the most moving stories I ever read was the diary of Anne Frank. I read it as a teenager and then later again, as an adult.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, 'she made several references to the Chestnut tree that she could see outside her window during the 25 months she remained indoors until her family was arrested in August 1944.' The tree is located in the Netherlands but many offshoots have been planted elsewhere.
On August 22, the 150 year old tree toppled from the wind and rain. To learn the details, see here:
http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0823/Anne-Frank-tree-knocked-down-by-storm
Published by Kay Balbi
"Life is a journey, not a destination. You only get one life-are you living it?" Freelance writer and business management consultant Kay Balbi has many passions and interests to share. She is an author, insp... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI performed much research on Anne Frank, and once signed out the huge government publication that was designed to establish, beyond doubt, the validity of that work. It was incredibly informative and insightful, and sad - sad beyond belief. It led me into much reading on the Holocaust. There is a very short video showing Anne Frank looking out a window online. Quite brief, but the only such footage known in existence.
This is a good article, thanks for the reminder.
What a beautiful article and wonderful testimony to this woman. I think Anne Frank's book is one of the best of all time....Well written and wonderful tribute Kay.
What a heartfelt article and topic! I am so glad that there are many "clones" of Ann Frank's chestnut tree around the world. In this way, I hope it survives forever!
Amazing story.
Kay...What a wonderful article and such powerful writing...Well done. Wow!
That's a shame about the tree...you just think some things will live forever...great tribute.
Wow, Kay, I hadn't heard this sad news. All good trees eventually grow weary of standing tall. cheers :)