It’s no use trying to save the world
When I myself am drowning
I sit now under the Great Oak
A tree so strong, so majestic
So silent, so serene
She is safe here far off the beaten path
Far away from the relentless greed of man
And I am safe here under her canopy
Here I can sit on a cool hard rock
And enter the sacred silence
Here I sit in the greatest cathedral of all
I look up at her awesome branches
Spreading in all directions
Upward and outward
I sit still so I can see Her
I sit still so I can feel Her
I sit still so I can hear Her
Her natural beauty is such a relief
That I cry tears of happiness
I study her trunk
So straight and strong
I see how the base of the trunk grows
Over a huge rock
I can hardly believe this was once a tiny acorn sprout
And now look at Her
See how Her graceful branches touch the ground
A perfect canopy
Now look — see how the huge trunk branches out into eight limbs
Like the eight limbs of Yoga
That we have all but forgotten
My soul cries out for Ahimsa
Non violence, mercy
The silence of the Oak can only go so deep
My mind won’t let me sleep
I cry out for the immense suffering and injustice
For the people and animals
At least people can speak
I cannot forget the pig in the steel crate
When I close my eyes I feel the holy stillness
But I still see the pig
Reign in your wandering mind
For this still moment
Leave the world behind
And focus on the Oak
Relax your clenched fist
Know you have a right to rage and be angry
For now
Feel the sweetness of the great Oak
Hear the coo of the quail
See how the light sparkles on the leaves
See how the sun rises each morning in spite of man’s insanity
See how the Great Oak grows silently
Like the Oak
I have no choice
But to express my true nature.
And revel in the miracle of being
This river bottom poem is dedicated to my daughter Monica
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
how booteefull…..
(too bad it’s not all on the front page!)
So beautiful.
Thank you, Suza!
Agreed, lovely as well, Suza.
Though when we are faced with the truth of our endless efforts to do good in the world smashing into the hard walls of the reality around us, I am often reminded of a bumper sticker that appeared in town several summers back.
If you recall tree limbs came crashing down in Libby park and World University, injuring no small number of people, and the bumper sticker read:
“Friends don’t let friends sit under Oak Trees”
Though wisdom may come through mediation or contemplation, only action – action as ceaseless as the tides – on those thoughts brings success.
Acorn Sprout, Sally, HJS,
Thank you for your comments.
I’m happy to see you liked my first river bottom poem.
HJS, I’m careful of where I sit under the Oak…away from the trunk and heavy branches…
And thank you for the wise reminder:
“Though wisdom may come through meditation or contemplation, only action – action as ceaseless as the tides – on those thoughts, brings success.”
Namaste.
Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing this, Suza! Beautiful.
And while I agree with HJS about action, I also wanted to take a moment to say that in my little take on the universe, poems are action! They are a ‘making’…
…and, what ever else this poem does or doesn’t do, I absolutely believe that it has given something to the oak you honor with its focus and energy.
You have seen this tree in a very special way, and invited all of us to see it with you — I believe that’s a tangibly constructive thing to do.
Best,
Leigh
such beauty in words. you take us there Suza, Thank You!!!