DRYAD

In silence, gazing skyward,
Where a myriad tumbling
Sparkling sun dusts dance.
Behind back caressing hands,
Or is it bark, confusing.
Head resting, forgotten word,

Comes stumbling from
Forgotten lips and sound.
Remembered legs entwined,
Held tightly from behind,
As bark resting on the ground.
Lifting one hand, palm

Raised to the sun, closing
Tired eyes. Thoughts running
Remembering name, name.
Tree oh tree, it is the same,
Remember me, this aching
Body was once thinking.

Giving in, growing as one,
Embracing wood as final.
Hearing a distant name,
Faint familiar sound, same
As once called, a wall
Comes tumbling, the sun

Too bright, eyes closed softly.
Murmuring voices far away,
And hands touching twines,
Branches and leaves.
Inside something grieves,
And hears: it will be fine.

Safe from my tree, can’t stay.
Tree, oh tree, they set me free!


© Darren White