the tree

I sat beneath this tree today

and leaned my back against her rough strength

I spoke to her of dreams I once had

which have vanished in the haze of time

of dreams I might still have if time allows

I spoke of life so precious so joy filled

of agony and pain of the body and the spirit

which I have learned to survive

I spoke of lost love and eternal love

I shared the truth of motherhood

the gift of love that only your children bring

I spoke to her of how I have lived my life

of death and loss and soulmates never forgotten

and as I spoke I remembered

the goodness of the souls who have shared my time

those who have walked with me and held my hand

offered strength when I am weak

laughed with me about things funny and tragic

fed me at their table and loved me

for who I am and not whom I might have been

a power arose in me of love and gratitude

like an overflowing spring

I thanked this tree for waiting there for me

to lend me the wisdom of being still

and the realisation that all things have their time

so often I have forgotten to appreciate

the sweet scent of an autumn breath

the delight of light shimmering through leaves

and at times neglected to be thankful

for the abundance of beauty our natural world offers

for clear streams and muddy puddles

for the abundance of life

and the mystery of death

Copyright © Eryll Oellermann 2020