Woman of the tree 

Waiting until dusk has fallen she slips away 

Into the expectant forest 

It seems to heave a collective sigh  

No human foot treading this woodland floor 

She is careful to glide slowly around 

Slipping behind a fallen log or standing object 

If she ever feels them drawing near 

The humans who know her as children are told 

Forget the foolish nonsense when they grow 

And for the most part they do 

They believe she was illusion, imagined 

Call it what you will 

Except the otherly children who still see 

Going about their daily business 

Until the compulsion forces them back ….SNAP 

In time, in belief who knows? 

Into the forest to the hugest tree they come 

Head bowed to bark in rain and shine, 

Coming back to feel the earths heart beat 

Steadily taking strength and knowledge 

From the tree they feed from 

Some silent, or singing, talking or dancing 

Always a touch on the wind they feel 

They keep secret their visits as how do you explain ?

I went to the healing tree and all is well 

Many offerings are here a ribbon, a message scrawled, a carved figure 

So much, so many to quietly help 

Have you been to the forest yet? 

Ah you found it too and they told you to forget 

I see. 

Tuck away your knowing words and keep them for yourself 

Ssshhhh you have been chosen 
Ailsa 

©AilsaCawleyPoetry2017