An Evergreen Soul

Tall Tree Trail, Meares Island

1989

My soul goes walkabout

into the forest
on a vision quest.
Amongst the breathing trees,
the white owls are speaking,
softly, so as not to be overheard
by the Others.


My child,
you have journeyed far,
and you are tired.
You are approaching the edge of

a far valley.

Attune your heart

to journeying.

Prepare your traveling song.

My soul sits itself down
at the base of a great green cathedral
whose trunk has grown
for almost one thousand years.

My child,
you are weary and heartsore,
and can find no surcease.
Place your hand on my trunk
and I will tell you all I know
about Enduring.

My soul tiptoes up close to
a gentle, startling deer.
She tilts her head, recognizes
that I mean no harm,
and does not turn away.

My child,
you have learned to keep
a distance from the world.
I understand.
My way, too, must be one of caution,
for there are fast unthinking cars and
angry men and killing guns
out in the Land from which
you come.

On the shores of my soul,
there are waves,
forever advancing and retreating,
while I perch in this desert of the heart
as precariously
as a cactus flower,
afraid to take root for fear
the wound of blooming
will be
life-threatening.


Bloom and thorn-
sometimes the messages
are mixed.

My soul emerges from the forest

surrounded by

six white wolves.

My honour guard,

they will protect me.

My soul puts forth the rough, hardy shoots

of a cliff-dwelling juniper.

They wrap around some 

shambling, slipping rocks

and hang on tight.

They have learned

to be tenacious,

and self-sustaining.

They have learned

that even the most solid surfaces

can move and change

and crumble away.

An evergreen soul

can weather the storms,

can withstand drought,

can find joy 

singing in the rain.

for Paul's prompt at dVerse: Soul Gazing