The Trees of December II

nemophilist

(n.) a haunter of the woods; one who loves the forest and its beauty and solitude

I found the redwoods like a great cathedral, hushed and reverent, old as time and full of grace.  They welcomed me into their still space, invited me to breathe deeply, deeply, to fill all of my being with their calm evergreen breath and breadth.

Tree

It is foolish

to let a young redwood

grow next to a house.

Even in this


one lifetime,


you will have to choose.

That great calm being,


this clutter of soup pots and books—

Already the first branch-tips brush at the

window.


Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.

—Jane Hirshfield, From Given Sugar, Given Salt (1992)

(see http://www.eatthispoem.com/blog/2012/2/2/tree-by-jane-hirshfield-roasted-pepper-and-lentil-soup.html)

images:  Christie B. Cochrell, Among the Ancient Redwoods (Henry Cowell State Park, December 2016)