sferic

If one listens carefully,
The mountain will speak.

It is but a whisper,
Yet as loud as cannon fire.

Cherish deep roots--
They ground you
To that which is most important.

Sway in wind and gale--
No matter how strong,
The winds do move on.

Eat meals in a sun beam.
Revel in the miracle
That binds us all together.

Tread lightly with sure feet.
Ground yourself with every step;
Feel your spirit connect with life!

Remain connected to your neighbors.
This is your moral imperative--
They are your family.

Savor every breath.
Your next will be altogether new.

Claim your power--
it is theirs only if you give it away.
 

Red Baron of the Wood
Protects its realm
From two-legged intruders
Chirping its warnings from above
To the others ahead.

I pause in my journey
To see the Baron eyeing me.
Standing still, I gaze
Into beady onyx eyes--
Unsure of each other.

The smell of the Wood has changed
In just one day.
We both smell the difference.
A full flavor of green
Is replaced with smells of red and brown.

I stand watching
While the Baron twitches,
Decides.
Thumps its back paw against the stump
And runs for the nearest pine cone.

The Barons of the Wood are readying
For the season to come.
Every five paces brings evidence of preparation.
Pine cone remnants on every rock,
Quiet chirps disguised as birdsong.

Urgency overrules caution.
The Baron--Guardian of the Wood,
Eyes me cautiously,
Sits atop its stump
Throws caution to the wind...

And eats its pine cone...with me as uninvited guest.


 

The smell of growth
Left the mountain today.
The cicada,
So loud a day before,
Fell silent.

Crickets chirped
To fill the void.
Dragonflies filled the sky
Dancing above rocks
Warmed by a cooler sun.

The red squirrel
Feeling an urgency deep within,
Ignored my presence
Completely
As I watched it eat
Ravenously
Just feet away.

Sounds were muted.
The smell of pine
Was more condensed.
Leaves smelled red
And orange
Mixed with the musty smell
Of soil.

The mountain bed--
I could almost hear it
Singing a lullabye.

O Glorious Day!
Greeting me with open arms,
The sun
With shimmering tendrils
Of warmth
Caresses my body in greeting
This early morning.

Mother welcomes me back
Like a lost child
With only tender love
And joy to give
Despite this long absence,
This winter of the soul.

She sends ambassadors
The doe on the trail
Red chirping squirrels
Singing with chickadees.
Moss cushions my feet
As I walk amongst trees
As we get reacquainted.

O Glorious Day!
It is good to be home
Once again.