In the midst of the complexities of a new Country, a new culture and a new language, this poem of David Wagoner is a soothing and wise reminder.
Lost
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is caller Here,
And you must treat is as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes, Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
- David Wagoner
- David Wagoner
Simply beautiful! I will read this over and over!
ReplyDelete"The forest knows where you are ..." most of the time, that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI've always been one of those people who never gets lost. No matter where I am - I know where I've been and I have a pretty good idea of where I'm going and how I'm going to get there.
That's on a physical plane.
On the more elevated plane of life and living, I'm not always so fortunate.
Nan, I've loved and been inspired by this for a long time.
ReplyDeleteLou, Anche Io, essato!
Truly lovely, Mary. As a sometime hiker, the forest has spoken to me many times. And sometimes, if I am quiet enough and walk with a gentle step, the echoes of those who have followed the path before me are there to be heard as well. The Walden Woods in Concord, MA are a perfect case in point.
ReplyDelete