Just a short distance and I am amongst the trees,
I perceive the shadow of Thoreau and John Muir,
as I enter the realm of Gawain and the Green Man,
While the leaves from winters passed announce my arrival,
amidst the lower brush and decaying branches.
I glance upward at the tree line swirling around me,
bowing my head in humility at the beauty unfolding before my eyes, the true lines of nature complete in the patterns of bark, leaves, and rocks.
It is Jefferson’s words that come to mind, “All men are created equal”,
That may be true for mankind but not for the woods, they are better than men.
We hike further into a cathedral of trees,
from new growth hemlocks; light, airy and sparse,
to primeval backwoods; thick, dark and solemn;
Such noble names as Birch, Poplar, Elm, Pine, Spruce, and Oak are in residence,
outfitted in the regal fabric of the seasons.
And water lovers need not be disappointed,
The life blood of the woods is its lakes, streams, and rivers.
We are all sons and daughters of fluidity; children of the Lady of the Lake,
for Triton and his legion of water nymphs reign here as well as the great oceans.
We are better amongst the trees as our better angels come into form,
seeking to adapt and become our sacred surroundings,
just as Native Americans related to the earth and sky in prayer;
“I step into the day, I step into myself, I step into the mystery.”
There are no wrong turns in the woods,
just new roads in multicolored layers.
And with each new road,
we earn a chance for redemption.
©jc2017-9
*Photo courtesy of Pixabay
An Unexpected Muse… 
The first time we visited Muir Woods, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and majesty of the place. Seemed like the other visitors were too, even the children were quiet, as though we entered a cathedral. And so we did.
This was beautiful, JC.
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Thank you for telling me of your visit to Muir Woods. There is a few biographies of John Muir, one on PBS that is really good. He certainly lived life to the fullest and left this world a better place.
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JC, this is such a beautiful poem/song to the North Wood. It flows like the river through the mind of the reader.
You say:
” All men are created equal”,
That may be true for mankind but not for the woods, they are better than men.”
How I understand you as walking in this old and majestic wood is awe inspiring and make us feel small, almost insignificant. But with the Native American we say ““I step into the day, I step into myself, I step into the mystery.”
Miriam
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Miriam, thank you so much for your kind appreciation of the woods and trees. I knew you would understand my writing this poem or song to our wooded friends and also may Triton always show you the way to fluidity.
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JC, this is breathtaking…I find myself holding my breath whilst I read this post…standing in awe in the midst of the cathedral of trees. Your poetic phrases paint such a vivid picture I can’t help but be moved to pure joy and want to join in celebration here amongst all the trees which are ‘outfitted in the regal fabric of the seasons’. Thank you also for sharing the native American words, yes each day is a mystery and it is up to own it, live it.
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Thank you, Annika, for your encouraging words. I’ve always wanted to write about the trees and what they mean to me but without sounding too pretentious. I can’t recall how many times I’ve taken a walk in the woods, but I do know it has always helped me in one way or another and for that, I owe the trees and woods my heartfelt thanks.
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I’m glad you finally got round to writing about trees…you have done them proud with this piece and your enjoyment and solace of walks in the woods comes powerfully across.
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This is so beautiful, JC, I feel as though I was there. I am definitely better in the woods. My sacred self is connected to the trees. 🙂
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Yes, I wanted that feeling of actually being there while reading; the trees are truly magicall! Thank you.
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It’s a pleasure!
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A great meditational walk through these woods.
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Thanks, I appreciate that!
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