TREE TALK

Dancing with Dryads

on the edge of the forest

where the shadows are soft

there is a winding path

bordered by moss…

the earthy scent of mushrooms

and rich organic matter

rose around my feet

as I followed the winding way

that led into the deeper forest

where dryad like to play…

I knew just where to find them

I’d been this way before

both by moon-light & by sun

this call I could not ignore…

for the dryads only call to me

when there is something to be seen…

Artemis, friend to dryad nymphs

was nowhere to be found

and from deep in the forest

I heard feet beating on the ground

womanly spirits of nature

presided over the forests and groves

each born with a tree to watch as its own…

and so connected with their life-tree

should the tree perish

then dryad dies with it

such is unity of tree & dryad spirit…

If this is caused by a mortal

the gods will punish him for that deed

the dryads themselves

will punish any thoughtless mortal breed

who would somehow injure

or threaten the safety of their trees…

but this sweet & fragrant twilight

all seemed very calm

I could sense no one nearby

who would wish to do them harm…

and yet… and the beating grew ever loud

joined now by a rhythmic tune

that conjured images of nature

morning sun and winter moon…

come quickly quickly quickly

the dryads called to me

you’ll miss it miss it miss it

- the birth of dryad & new tree!

my feet hurried faster

I ran to the beat of their tune

until, panting & barely breathing

I burst into a clearing

lit by star & evening moon…

… oh! just slowly unfolding

a new tree’s first shiny leaf

with a tiny baby dryad

curled up safe beneath…

my heart wept tears of joy

that nourished the new sprung tree

and smiling

the baby dryad looked wisely up at me…

she knows you are our closest friend

our protector

and our guardian

the older dryads whispered

as I knelt upon the forest earth

… and the only living sole

to have seen a dryad birth…

Sharonlee©

9-Feb-12