The Forest

Solace by Forest, Acrylic on Canvas, 30×30cm, artist frame, 2023

The forest stands, equanimous

Between heaven and earth

Stretching its branches to the light

That breaks in foliage and ferns

Roots deepening in moist earth

The stock market plunges

The economy collapses

People run amok

Wars rage on

The forest stands, looking

Completely unconcerned

I go to the forest

To leave my worries there

My thoughts jump

From branch to branch

Then they are tired

Settling down

In the cool moss

I am rid of them

Breathing pure life

That comes and goes

Without drama

There in the bushes

The shadows of the past appear

The fear of what was

The panic of what is to come

The forest

Knows no past

No future

No road from there to there

Only cycle

Day and night,

Summer and winter,

Life and death,

The forest stands in the moment

Breathing

Our fear sweat

And giving comfort

Hold me, tree

I put my arms

Around your trunk

My finger on your wound

Your resin is my plaster

Your bark, my pillow

My ear on your trunk

Do I hear your heart,

Or is it mine?