Saturday, May 30, 2015

TO THE FOREST, DARK AND DEEP



I thought I'd put my heart into a poem,
and take it to the forest, dark and deep,
find the mossy path, the broken limb,
a perch from which to read the trees to sleep.

So sonorous, all words verdant and green,
so soft the moss, the pages all between.
I turn them, leaf and fern, salal and flower,
sweet and protected, in my leafy bower.

The dark will tiptoe in on doe-like feet,
will settle tenderly upon the boughs,
and I softly away, and smiling sweet,
the forest safe and dreaming deep, for now.

Oh forest dear, my sanctuary blessed,
it is to you I come, when I seek rest.


A sonnet from early 2014, re-posted here for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where you are likely to find a lot of good reading, come Sunday morning. 
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43 comments:

  1. SusanMay 30, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    Good to see this again, giving back to where we gained our peace and strength!

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  2. GailMay 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM

    Beautiful. I can tell your heart is here.

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  3. MaryMay 30, 2015 at 8:33 PM

    The forest is definitely a beautiful sanctuary....a comforting place to visit in every season!

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  4. Amrit SinhaMay 30, 2015 at 11:24 PM

    This poem is lyrical and has a peaceful ambiance. beautifully written :-)

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  5. brudbergMay 30, 2015 at 11:41 PM

    The forest is a wonderful place. A book in itself with all its verdant bliss...

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  6. Vandana SharmaMay 30, 2015 at 11:45 PM

    Nature is a pious abode, giving rest to one and all.

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  7. Sumana RoyMay 31, 2015 at 12:38 AM

    A must have book for all to read & derive peace....

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  8. Old EggMay 31, 2015 at 12:38 AM

    When we search for truth and reality the forest is best place to go. Mankind has so much to learn and so little time. Beautifully done Sherry.

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  9. J Cosmo NewberyMay 31, 2015 at 2:22 AM

    Can't ask for a better place...

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  10. Sanaa RizviMay 31, 2015 at 2:26 AM

    The forest is a most peaceful sanctuary :D loved this magical piece :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  11. AnonymousMay 31, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    To read the trees to sleep... beautiful!!

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  12. Jae RoseMay 31, 2015 at 3:04 AM

    The heart is there for sure..and magical and beautiful it is too xo

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  13. Brother OllieMay 31, 2015 at 4:07 AM

    I head out to the forest everyday with my old temple dog. A most inspiring place!

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  14. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)May 31, 2015 at 4:26 AM

    such a soulful soliloquy. loved this

    gracias mi amiga

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  15. XMay 31, 2015 at 5:45 AM

    That is where I retreat as well. We took a hike last weekend up around the lake. Saw a black bear cub as well, which was a moment of excitement as I did not want to meet the mama and have her think I was messing with it. Everything is so alive right now too.

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  16. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMay 31, 2015 at 5:52 AM

    Another absolute treat to read!

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  17. Gen Giggles May 31, 2015 at 7:02 AM

    I love it. I miss the ability to take a walk in the woods when I like. I'll need to start doing it again.

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  18. SuyashJMay 31, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    reminds me of the forests i used to visit as a kid

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  19. annell4May 31, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    One of your best!!! Wonderful lines!

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  20. Kerry O'ConnorMay 31, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    Really a most perfect sonnet, Sherry!

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  21. Salem LorotMay 31, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    I loved the poem, Koko!

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  22. UnknownMay 31, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    Every step on the forest floor, every breath of the loamy air is another line in a living poem.

    This is lovely Sherry glad you shared it once again.

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  23. Magaly GuerreroMay 31, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Oh, Sherry, I could sleep so soundly on these words... covered by the promise of each line... secured that if he night grows dangerous, your heart-full forest will keep me safe.

    This is so powerful and beautiful.

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  24. Magical Mystical TeacherMay 31, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    If I could ever find a good tree out here in this desert, I'm sure it would read me to sleep, and not vice versa!

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  25. Gillena CoxMay 31, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    A lovely contemplative poem

    Have a nice Sunday

    Much love...

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  26. Eileen T O'Neill .....May 31, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    Sherry,
    Your poem worked very well with the country landscape where I went for a walk yesterday. It had all the ingredients for a rewarding connection with nature. So peaceful and uplifting..
    Enjoyed this poem and its placement, very much,
    Eileen

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  27. Myrna R.May 31, 2015 at 11:21 AM

    I don't remember this one, but so glad you reposted. It's lovely. I had a smile on my face while reading it and I wish there was a forest near that I could visit. I'd love to talk to the trees. Hope you're well.

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  28. DonnaMay 31, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    A beautiful poem as you give to the forest and take rest...such a wonderful relationship.....'a perch from which to read the trees to sleep' spoke volumes to me.

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  29. TruedessaMay 31, 2015 at 12:01 PM

    Ah, the forest is a good place to take your heart and poem. Sherry, I absolutely love this poem you brought the leaf pages to life and I too find the forest to be a sanctuary.

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  30. C.C.May 31, 2015 at 12:04 PM

    The whole thing is absolutely glorious, but that last line.....whoa...splendid :-) Definitely resonates with me, too, Sherry.

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  31. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerMay 31, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    I love the trees and I love the idea of reading them to sleep. This is such a wonderful and serene write

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  32. Wendy BourkeMay 31, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    There is something so primal and eternal about a forest sojourn that evokes lovely lyrical, emotive contemplations. You've captured the nuances of the forest spirits that are revealed to you in that sanctuary, so beautifully here, Sherry.

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  33. totomaiMay 31, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    Thanks for this reminder Sherry, that the forest is a place where we can rest and relax our minds. Being away from the city would be a great stress-reliever.

    Yesterday, I watched a 2-min video (narrated by Julia Roberts), how people need nature. Hope you can see it.

    Nice seeing you again :)

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  34. UnknownMay 31, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    I see you've been to my backyard :)
    Everything seems to have grown overnight

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  35. J.N.T.May 31, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    Everyone loves the forest. So do I. It's like as you put it, a "sanctuary" for the poet and writer to be immersed into it for a great imagination outcome! thanks.

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  36. De JacksonMay 31, 2015 at 4:28 PM

    Just.so.gorgeous.

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  37. humbirdMay 31, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    Love this line "to read the trees to sleep" ~ it's powerful to be able to guard/nurture in some way the forest! Wonderful poem!

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  38. TorieJune 1, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    Beautiful as always :) So nice to be reading your words this morning. Love the reading the trees to sleep :) Also wanted to give you a little shout out for being so supportive. You're quite a blessing :) Hope you have a good week!

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  39. ZQJune 1, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    This one definitely clinches your writing gifts.
    ZQ

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  40. UnknownJune 1, 2015 at 4:19 PM

    What a wonderful gift, knowing your refuge and having opportunity to seek it.

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  41. grapelingJune 2, 2015 at 12:29 AM

    indeed, a good place to (re-) visit, Sherry ~

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  42. WolfsrosebudJune 2, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    each line brought us closer to that rest

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  43. Stacy M.S.June 3, 2015 at 9:58 PM

    i love this. there's just something about your work...it brings the reader back to nature. i just want to take my shoes off and walk barefoot through the grass!

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Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate it and will return your visit soon.

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