A Poem

By Naturalist Bella Santana

I am unable to spend my time doing many of the things I was doing last week.
Many of the things that I would like to be.

But going into nature, that is something that is still available to me.

So I went out in the woods,
And I found an old tree.

I looked up at his branches which were waving at me.

With every wave that they made,
There were words soft and kind,
The tree spoke to me, and tried to ease my cluttered mind.

I began to speak back, telling the tree how I was worried.
Life has become a bit different, and it puts my mind in a flurry.

I don’t want to keep my distance...
I don’t want to hole up in my house…
I just want to feel comfortable and have others around.

The old tree understood, for he has been through it all,
But he felt it important that I do not let my happiness and hope crumble and fall.

The wise tree reminded me that I am not alone
As he swayed and he smiled and he spoke from his heart.

The other trees, they stand by you, hugging you close.
The birds, they sing to you, and urge you to make the most.

The lone frog, she tells you she understands that the unknown is scary.
For year after year, she hibernates, unsure when is best to un-bury.

He urges all of the forest creatures to hold me in their company,
They remind me of their presence, gathering around and embracing me as their own.

They remind that soon I will be outside in this forest,
With my friends, and my family.

The trees, birds, and frogs will be waiting for our return, just like we wait for their return every spring.

And so I leave the woods.

I drop my fears in the river on my way out.

The river takes the burden of carrying my worries with it as it continues to flow.
It claims my fears as its own
and cleanses my mind with every inch that it goes.

______________

 A note from me to the reader:

Until we can all meet again outside, I hope you all continue to get outdoors. Whether that be the forest, your local park, or even a walk around the block. Take the wise old oaks’ advice: learn from nature, listen to nature, and find solace in the life around you.

Bella Santana

Naturalist