Cherish

Cherish


Like rodents in a race, we are driven by a longing;
instinctively, we miss that sense of intimate belonging.

My thoughts whirled as I walked, not paying much attention,
following a wooded path without my comprehension
until I stopped and looked – an amazing sight to see!
There before me stood a woman in a tree.

Her beauty touched me deeply, her skin of peeling bark
her eyes were looking skyward, shadowed by the dark.
I saw her outstretched arms, as though in crucifixion,
while her joyful face shone - a study in conviction.

Around her plants and shrubs stood in a supplicated ring
and in my state of wonder, I found my eyes began to sting.
The power of the image brought me to my knees.
The feeling I was searching for I found among the trees.

Sitting there, my hands caressing warm placental earth,
it came to me that nature was the hope for our rebirth.
I became aware of rhythms, both of comfort and of strife,
each sound a counterpoint in the symphony of life.

Ground to cleanse the water, winds to cleanse the air,
waving fields of sun warmed grasses, deserts that are bare,
flowers of every shape and hue, nothing is redundant,
oceans full of life, its diversity abundant.

Open up your eyes, you'll be amazed to see what's real;
open up your heart and you'll be awed by what you feel.
This planet's a living part of us which is under duress.
It loves and cherishes each of us. How can we do less?

I realized that, standing there, as I embraced the tree
its branches were stretched out and it was hugging me.
A breeze sprang up and whispered "you belong"
                                                                    ...finally.



Notes:

An entry for "The Elementalist Contest"  [ASR]
Element: Earth
Challenge: This round is a free round. The only requirement is for the word 'earth' to be mentioned exactly one time in your short story or poem.

Thank you for taking time to read my words.  Please, take a few moments more and leave a comment.  Criticism, suggestions, reactions, and/or praise are all equally welcome.

Thanks to the many who reviewed and helped me bring it to this level. Special thanks to runningwolf04 who gave a really terrific review.

Ken