Enchanted
Enchanted, chanced to pause,
between my hurried days
the oak was waiting
just for me
she beckoned home with
outstretched limbs.
And I, a toil worn traveler
stopped, sighed
untensed my shoulders
and remembered that
a greener past of me
climbed trees.
That part, an opportunist,
took the leap
to help me clamber onto
a low hanging branch
immediately, I was ashamed
the tree was delicately dressed.
Her gown of mosses, lichen
brilliant shift of mint green lace
I was faded by comparison
was waning by comparison
my clumsy foot was scraping
at her living viridescent dress.
Still, she gently settled me
her emerald veil of feathers
curling sweetly for my seat
spread 'round with lush candescence
soft me sinking in
confessed my love.
She rocked me in her breeze and glow
a cradle for my weariness
I told my stories rambling long
my dreams, my heart's desire spent
she listened, and the Steller's Jay
cocked an inquiring head.
I longed to give her everything
my soul wide open wide
to find her gaze and hold it long
enough to know she's looking back
but I'm traveling and the day is long
and I have human life to live.
-Katie Baptist
EarthWays Participant
