Facing north toward the star

No light between the leaves

I cross the bridge, and make a path

Blanket of night in reach

Beneath the shell, surrounds my heart

the pulse is very strong

In rhythm with the thickened woods

Alone, awaiting dawn

Youth now shades the ones below

with secrets of the oak

No longer need for better things

Observing birds—their beautiful wings

The surrender of a falling pine

The mysteries of the stream

Before the leaves turn and fall

blossoms of a garden spring

Butterflies and hummingbirds

whisper, ‘I am here’

Where you fell, the light so bright

Your sanctuary heals

I see it now, it all makes sense

The forest teaches me

It lets me know divine exists,

right among the trees

Reminders of old lessons learned

Everyone has a story

We’ve all been challenged, deep inside,

to become our own resource and guide

Bark and outer skin,

wrapped around so tight

Even if you do not see,

be kind, inside, lives quietly

In recent times, the green has gone

Inside the trunk, survives

‘Tis sad, you’ll not grow old with me

Then, to say, ‘good-bye’

Take my shortened breath away

The forest breathes for me

It breathes for earth

to keep alive, her mountains and her sea

Embrace with care, until I join

the chorus of the woods

Before bestowed upon the earth,

in the light, where you once stood