Dreams of Wild Communion

April 6, 2016 by JoAnna 16 Comments

When I was 12, I loved to roam through the woods.

Sometimes, I’d travel with other “tomboys.”

That’s what my mom called us.

It was a term of endearment.

Other times,  I was lucky enough

to have a dog as my companion.

Rarely, I went by myself.

It was the 60’s and Mom didn’t worry about me

going off by myself for hours.

I followed some paths made by humans

and narrow trails made by deer.

I studied their tracks

and those of a racoon or possum.

Every now and then, I found their bones

And brought them home like treasures.

Once I almost stepped on a big grey snake

as it slithered away from me

to hide in the protective undergrowth.

 

One  spring day,

I walked deep into the woods.

Alone.

I’d  be afraid to go alone today,

but back then, I reveled in the solitude,

taking communion from the trees.

I came to a small stream

Offering up a bed of moss

large enough to spread out on if I wanted to.

The sun fell just right across the green carpet

while the stream itself was shaded by slender branches.

I can almost remember weeping willow tresses

hanging over the stream

from the  opposite side.

 

I lie on my stomach

prop  up on elbows

and look into the water as it flows

around stones and over pebbles.

 

I dip my fingers into the stream

and taste its coolness,

Feel the sun on my back and legs,

I rest my head on the soft moss,

Stretch my arms out on the carpet

Palms open to the earth

and close my eyes.

One ear listens to the hum of insects

The other to the hum of the earth.

I believe I could stay here forever.

 

 

Earth day is April 22. But the earth deserves more than one day. So, here at Anything is Possible, I declare the month of April, Earth month!

For the month of April, I plan to write about the earth.

(I found the top and bottom photos on pixabay. They remind me of dreams and memories. The one of  rocks in the stream was taken in Connecticut.)