Mother

She lives in my blood.

When the lights go out and there’s no one left to talk to

When the road dead ends

When all seems forsaken

I get lost in her embrace

She holds me in her boughs

Serenades me sweetly

Gets me all sticky, dirty, tired

A child

She reminds me of the endless wisdoms of my kin

Bees

Darkness

The trees so willing to speak their knowledge

To ones quiet and humble enough to listen

Finally I feel at home

At one

Words not necessary, but welcome

She tells me,

“I too know death in my bones

My body feels your heartbreak and fury

Over all that has been taken from you

I stand with you in solidarity

And teach you endless renewal and hope

I teach you that what flows through our veins

Cannot run out

I teach you to be upright and flexible

Broken and noble

Relentless and yielding

How to strike beauty and terror to an equal depth

For brothers they are

I teach you to hear the sound of growth

To bear nakedness and death with dignity

Your footsteps reverberate my heartbeat

Our breath is one

Your laughter feeds me

My seasons adorn your body

My elements teach you oneness of being

My harshness teaches you discipline

And that a peaceful heart is the only thing worth possessing

Rest here daughter,

And learn

What you are.”

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