The Forest

You’ll notice many things that grow

When you go into the forest:

Wild rose and yarrow,

Pine and grasses of the high plains,

Mushroom and sage.

You can’t help but wonder upon wander–

The complexity of systems it takes

To make everything keep living:

Trees to shade,

Plants to feed,

Squirrels and birds

To plant the seeds…

And we come in from the world,

Carrying bags that weigh heavy.

We set them down as we lift up;

Suddenly everything feels a little lighter

As we look to the sky (maybe for the first

Time in a while).

***

The outside world can wait.

Here, we are changed and charged

With a sacred duty to our youth.

Here, we can watch and hold and help to grow

Those who come after.

We step outside ourselves to connect

In a way that’s rare and precious.

We see the magic of minds primed

To flourish, even in these

Complex times.

We connect as we build bridges,

Feel the tension and release,

Singing of light and life.

***

We are not the compass,

Only the guides to point

To a life that speaks of authenticity–

An easier way to be.

We tap our roots deep,

Interconnected as the aspen to bring

Water to community,

And we, in turn, are fed.

***

I don’t know what future has in store

As we go out from the forest;

Whatever way it takes me

I know I leave a different being.

I am changed forever

By one short/long week,

Broken pieces of me healed

By seeing children get to be children,

By knowing you are all in the world,

Holding onto a piece of me,

I find my peace

In the forest.