Mary Oliver-- Trees

Art source: anon

“When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.”

The Love In All Eyes

Hats and pearls and 2 beautiful girls
in the infancy of their promise
Time takes its toll but also bestows
a grace that it truly time-honored

Their crowns are strong, they were all along
their tresses were wild— like fire
They couldn’t be tamed, why should that be the aim?
It’s their wildness conducting the choir 

They’d met long before— it’s cosmic allure—
knowing something harmonious would rise
Truth, contemplation, no sticky stagnation
And savoring the love in all eyes

The pearls hung with care— little beads of prayer
round the bright blue voices they owned
Speaking their minds with strength redefined
surfing the vibes they belovedly honed

They’ve donned their hats— released hooks from the past
each using their hands to heal
From heart centered truth— each a hopeful recruit
on the mission towards divinity’s reveal

Tricia Schwaba 2022— Heartfelt thanks to Natalie Grace Craig for inspiring these words.