Lessons From a Tree

I went down to the old frog pond, just to prove I can,

I went to find my childhood, and sit upon soft sand,

I tried to push the daily worries, troubles, from my mind,

I couldn’t rest, could not relax, so left it all behind.

***

I heard the church bells ringing, tolling loud and deep,

So I went to church for solace – and because I couldn’t sleep,

Pompous asses, dusty robes, stale lies and prophecies,

I know true faith, and this ain’t it, false teaching’s not for me.

***

I got my car, it’s speedy-fast, and traveled miles and miles,

Its flashy colors, vroomy-zooms, they gather lots of smiles,

But envy for the stuff I’ve got don’t bring me inner peace,

And doesn’t get the panic voices in my head to shut and cease.

***

I sped away, I turned a corner-

Oh. Oh!

I know where I am!

It’s my little pond!

***

My very own, my special place, was waiting here for me!

I need to stop, and look around – I focus on a tree,

The slow, deep thrum of life within makes me stop and ponder,

Why I couldn’t see the truth when I came from over yonder.

***

A fresh perspective changes things, when viewed from other angles,

Trees with leaves so bright and green don’t care about life’s tangles,

Just clouds, and sun, and water rights, and warm and gentle breeze,

And whiskery-tickly skitter paws that make trees laugh and wheeze.

***

Can trees fear? Of course they can, bulldozer and chainsaw,

Or any creature that has the teeth to bite, and rend, and gnaw,

They send up a signal pheromone, to warn all others near,

To strengthen their own boundaries and guard what they hold dear.

***

I sit in silent shadow, and stare at quiet rain,

And contemplate my life choices, the pleasure and the pain,

A bubble of solace, a quantum of tranquility,

And the power of a person to use ability.

***

Slow thoughts, fast waves, ripples of racing peace,

It’s time to think more like a tree and let the furor cease,

I need to think before I act, stay cool in face of rage,

And when my bubble finally pops, breathe deep – and turn the page.