Mystery and a White Pine Tree

 

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“My life is done” plays in my head.

I’ve waited ten long years to hear

a leading that would pull me near.

 

The life force left me here alone,

I told my tree. Though I’m not dead,

No purpose pulls me from my bed.

 

“I have nothing to give,” I thought.

We’ve used our earth down to its bone.

Soon human life will lose its home.

 

Bleakness will rule society.

But the wise tree leaned in and taught:

See how self-image brings all to naught?

 

What? I gasped, but see it’s true

Geography, society and me

are parallel. All three.

 

But which began the downward trend?

Which of the three could hope renew?

The questions let their light burn through.

 

“Which came first, my dear white pine tree?”

Which parallel caused hope to end?

Or did all three blend, my friend?

 

I loved that tree, and paused to play 

with this congruence-mystery

feeling awake, wild, and free.

 

All could be broken beyond repair,

but the parallels braid and fray

they glimmer, they say Seize the day.

 

Strands of each send out bright sounds

that invite me to look right there

to linger, to openly care.

 

They ask “What do you want to be?”

The pine asks, too.  Invites abound:

Thrive, strive!  Mystery’s around.

For earthweal weekly challenge: SACRED GLIMMERS

The poem is inspired by attending Spiritual Formation with Clinton Pettus from 7/26-27, 2022.  I hope soon to write this amazing teacher a better poem.

 My blog poems are rough drafts.

Please respect my copyright.

© 2022 Susan L. Chast