Forests, tress and finding ourselves are themes that keep calling for my attention. The redwoods in California have a soulful impact ❤
Redwood photo by Kevin Faber
Lost – by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
This is haunting and draws me back to it again and again. I feel the power of the forest and the vibrant connection to Here.
What does it say to you my friends?
Find Your Middle Ground 
‘The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you.’
Perfection Val; thanks for alerting me to this exquisite work.
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Thank you Hariod. I’m glad the forest calls to you too.
❤
Val
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It speaks about being present and mindful – that is what it says to me 🙂
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Yes indeed Rainee, Bringing us to that special place of mindfulness and inner connection that is always there.
Val x
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We are HERE and it is NOW . . . what else is there?
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Yes indeed Nancy! I feel I have been away in many ways … and this has helped me find my Middle ground again.
Val x
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Reblogged this on Teacher as Transformer and commented:
Similar to Val, this is a poem that draws me back to think about it and its meaning. Parker Palmer used this poem in his work to help readers and participants turn inward finding their inner spirit and wisdom that is revealed in moments of quietness and stillness. When we look closely, are present and mindful in life, we see no two trees are the same. It breaks through a statistical malaise of sameness allowing us to see and celebrate the uniqueness that is right in front of us and within us.
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Thank you for the re-blog Ivon…. and for your insight into Parker Palmer’s work. Having been away for a while, I find this piece grounding and nurturing.
Val
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What a courteous and welcoming tree! I love that we can learn from all of nature and this is a great example. I am aware that everyone would not consider that a tree can be courteous and welcoming, but look and listen as it is suggested. The tree lives only for what it can do for the rest of God’s creatures. Shelter, oxygen, limbs for the birds, rest for all who linger, shade for the weary. I love trees for all that they are and all that they do. My thanks to you, Ivon, for introducing me to yet another poet.
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You are welcome Marie. The Hassidic scholar, Martin Buber, has a beautiful passage about a tree in his book I and Thou.Thich Nhat Hanh suggests people hug a tree each day
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Reblogged this on Karinconway's Blog and commented:
I love getting “lost” in the forest!
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Thank you Karen for the re-blog. I appreciate it! Thank you for you stopping by.
Val
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Very nice, thank you!
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Glad you enjoyed it Gary.
Val
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Where you are. You must let it find you. — love. love. love.
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Yes Yes Yes … and exhale 🙂
Thank you for this Louise!
Val x
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This is so beautiful, Val. I am always drawn to a forest. As a child, I would play for hours there. It’s magical, thanks for reminding me. 🙂
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me too Lisa. Forests are truly magical places!
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Forest and trees are healing friends for me. 🙂
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They are magical aren’t they Carol…
Val x
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That photo just dropped my heart rate ten points. Loved this piece.
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Thank you Noelle! You can feel the stillness in it can’t you …
Thank you for stopping by and the follow!
Val x
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