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
