Too many years
of punishment
have consequences…
Silence
slices the
Earth in two
steals fragrant
fertile ground.
The Breath of Life
is stilled as the Owl
strikes home.
She walks on thin air.
Years of yearning
have crushed a spirit once
open to Love.
Her body’s fire
burns like the forests do
destroying Souls
without mercy.
Deliberate
Relentless
Destruction.
What did we ever do
to deserve such treatment?
She can’t let go
although she knows
that its his twisted story
not hers
that she is living
against her will.
She’s been forced
to enter hell.
But yes, she chose it too
without Foreknowledge;
Unintended consequences
are woven into each choice,
part of each human story.
(Nature follows different rules).
Burdened by Hope
in the face of escalating hatred
She still can’t let go…
Endurance is
her lover, but
when the nightmares
come
she can’t hold out.
They leave her haunted.
Her body is weakened by
tears that will not come.
Relief ceases to have meaning.
Resignation brings no peace.
She walks on ever thinning air.
Is there no end
to this suffering
except through dying?
She poses this question
repeatedly
to the deep green
religion of forest
field and stream,
and her dearest
companions.
At dusk he appears
at the door
piercing layers
of Bewitchment
with one sharp eye,
a mole brown feathery garment
blending with ever darkening sky
Four days ago
she heard him drumming.
Reclusive Grouse is
an Earth loving
forested friend –
and symbol of Her Spiral.
The Way remains veiled.
She’ll blunder on alone.
Yet, this unlikely presence
reflects, reveals, makes
a statement she cannot ignore:
Something is listening.
She’s not invisible –
After all.
Postscript:
Just before I publish this poem two beautiful birds appear at my window inexplicably – a little gold bird and a female cardinal – reinforcing the powers of nature to speak when all hope is lost.
Witnesses …
