GREEN WOMAN

Photo by S. Auberle

you have done this before,

you are certain of it,

in other lifetimes, perhaps,

fallen to your knees, like today

before these new goddesses:

trout lily, hepatica,

trillium, marybell...

you feel something ancient

unfurling in your heart

something buried deep

and long ago.

From childhood you have known the forest--

your lover, mother, cathedral,

friend--each plant and stone

pulling you earthward

each spiral of unfolding leaf beckoning:

come, bed in the tender moss,

smell, touch, burrow deep...

You fear, one day,

a siren call,

an irresistable day

when a god rolls over

in the flowers, invites you

to stay and play,

a day on which

you may not return.

poem first published in my book, Crow Ink,
2009 by Little Eagle Press...