Trees as Teachers

Nature inspires writers of all kinds! Ralph Waldo Emerson advised, "Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience." John Muir, also known as "Father of the National Parks" wrote, "In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks." And Shel Silverstein captured the generosity of nature and a life fully given in "The Giving Tree."

My reflections are captured in the "Reflections" below. What could nature be communicating to you?

Reflections

She stands before her reflection, fluorescent light above,

surveying perceived imperfections in her bareness

turning from front to side, tensing

tightening that which is not and

poking, prodding

too much here, too little there;

the color, texture, length or height, just not right

too wide or narrow,

too thick or fine.

She turns away from the mirror

only to turn toward the Reminders

taking the form of glowing screens,

taking the shape of digital images, print and pictures,

taking the sound of voices

all confirming her flaws, her inadequacy

shaming her,

the intensity mounting with each season.

Reminders convince, coerce, condemn her to

change

conform

convert.

She stands before her reflection, sunlight above

her form mirrored in the pond at her base

limb movement accentuated by ripples in the pond

swaying from side to side.

She is

poked, prodded by the woodpecker, gripped by the squirrel.

Her color, texture, length and height, just right

wide enough here, narrow enough there

thick and fine, both.

She resides by the mirroring pond where she is reminded

that her form is useful

her shape is appreciated

and the sounds of song surround her.

She accepts the reminders of the seasons

the glowing sunbeams upon her,

the rain or drought,

the snow she will withstand,

Reassured

that she has purpose in her created form

to Be

whether fully clothed in spring

or bare in the height of winter

she is Reassured to be

content.