photo by tofinoseakayaking.com
This is not the actual Stairway to Heaven tree,
but is one of the trees on the Tall Tree Trail
on Meares Island
I climbed the
Stairway to Heaven tree
that first summer,
when all the world
was bathed in
gold and green.
The trees were prayers,
the forest my cathedral.
I had found the place
of perfect harmony
and peace.
She had laid herself down
along an incline,
and a tree friend had notched
gentle stairs in her girth.
Step by step,
one climbed her
to the stars.
I sang her song
as I tiptoed
towards the sky.
For Susie's prompt at Real Toads: Stairway to Heaven. There is a huge old growth fallen tree by this name on the Tall Tree Trail across the bay from Tofino. As it fell on an incline and there were stairs gently notched in, I could, when I was young, climb up it towards the sky. There are trunks there so enormous you wouldn't believe it. It felt unlike any place I have ever been and far holier than a church. Here is my photo of the Hanging Garden Tree along that same trail.
What a wonderful place this seems... trees like that are wonderful... there is something magic about the gentle giants... and there are some wonderful rock music by that band as well.
ReplyDeleteLove this especially; "The trees were prayers, the forest my cathedral."💖 Beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful your imagery of serenity and sanctury
ReplyDeleteMuch💚love
Oh, I'd love to see it. There is nothing grander and closer to heaven than a tree for me. Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteThis read so pretty, Sherry. I stopped and marveled with every descriptor in the first stanza. The second is also sooo pretty reading, I love the 'how things are done' writings. And I'd try to climb that tree. It's been a while mostly because we don't have climbing trees around here.
ReplyDelete..
Not that you need to come back (thank you for peeking in and for the nice comment) but I have prettied it up a bit and fixed a couple of errors. What you read I composed and keyed using my Galaxy data phone in the several minutes I had while our granddaughter was finishing her homework. Then we went to "kids' night" at MacDonald's. I signed into Mr. Linky standing at the door begging for the half minute to do that.
Delete..
I love walking in an old world forest hoping to discover trees doing their thing rather than be regimented. It is then they really seem to talk to you as you can with them. Your love for the wild comes out in every word you write Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible, Sherry! When I was a child we called a tree 'Cathedral' because the branches were spaced like stairs and very easy to climb! I love the sound of your cathedral, with the world 'bathed in gold and green'.
ReplyDeletewow - what an amazing adventure as a child .... and yes, these old growth forests - and honestly, the West Coast really is incredible for this - ARE holier than any consecrated building ..... it's the direct energy of the planet .... the "absolute of God's creation" (or Great Spirit or Goddess etc.) .... and the ancient wisdom, the breathtaking stillness and peace - oh, you've captured some of the wonder and peace (it's hard to translate these feelings because there is nothing like it word wise) but you've worked magic :)
ReplyDeleteAnd what great images too :)
"The trees were prayers,
ReplyDeletethe forest my cathedral.
I had found the place
of perfect harmony
and peace." Mine was a cherry tree in the pasture. What memories this poem awake.
I love trees and I love this piece.
ReplyDeletevery cool, Sherry ~
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think that I'd be afraid of falling!
ReplyDeleteI love that the speaker is gentle as she climb, and that she sings... So many things are more tender when done with song (and a loving tree). :-)
ReplyDelete