For each branch and leaf





A Blessing for the Woods
by Michael S. Glaser


Before I leave, almost without noticing,
before I cross the road and head toward
what I have intentionally postponed-


Let me stop and say a blessing for these woods:
for crows barking and squirrels scampering,
for trees and fungus and multi-colored leaves,


for the way sunlight laces with shadows
through each branch and leaf of tree,
for these paths that take me in,
for these paths that lead me out.


......................................


Image:
Plein air oil landscape by Sharon Lynn Williams

Comments

Boozy Tooth said…
for the way sunlight laces with shadows

Ah yes. That's my favorite part. That and the crows barking and squirrels scampering.

Beautiful thoughts and images on a night when I'm wide awake at 3:30 am. Thanks for this little detour through the woods.
willow said…
Oh, this is beautiful, image and poem. I had to read it out loud three times. Thank you. It meant more than you will ever know, dear friend.
Jinksy said…
Beautiful painting -it's captured the spirit of those trees for eternity
erin said…
This poem makes me want to stop my daily chores and go to the woods for a walk. Thank you.
Suldog said…
Do crows bark? I guess they do!
steven said…
kathleen - this is a lovely poem.....the woods nearby are one of my most very favourite places for quietness and for reminding me of all the blessings i have in my life. they are a simple unadorned place, scruffy, tangled in little corners, overgrown, but always filled with beauty in the very small and very big way that woodlands are. steven
Kathleen said…
@Alix: Oh dear--what's keeping you up, sweetling? I suppose I best go pay a visit to your blog! BTW: I went through a spell of waking up around 4 or 4:30. I decided it was my appointment with God and just went with it. Much more pleasant than fight to get back to sleep!
Be well-
Kathleen said…
@Willow: Wow. I did the same thing when I found this poem. The layers slowly revealed themselves and gave me such hope. Blessings, dear one.
Kathleen said…
@Jinksy: So glad you liked the painting. I'm quite taken with the bark of diamond willows. Do you have them in your environs. The branches make gorgeous walking sticks when whittled and polished.
Kathleen said…
@Erin: And I hope you followed that wonderful impulse! Though I know how hard that is, especially when one has so many responsibilities. And yet--that's probably when we most need to take a walk into and out of the woods, yes?
Kathleen said…
@Suldog: Dude, it's a poem! Crows can do whatever they want in a poem. You know, like "Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'" and that sort of thing. But, personally, I prefer that my dogs bark. LOL!!!
Kathleen said…
@Steven: I love your meanderings through your woods and the thoughts and pictures they produce. Are you sure you're not a Ent? Thank you for trekking through my neck of the woods today!
Nessa said…
Lovely painting and poem. They both capture the essence of Autumn.

Santa Cartoon Riddle
Unknown said…
Hi Kathleen,

The painting is great; lovely colours. It's a long time since I walked through a wood. Maybe I should give it a try.
Unknown said…
oooohh, I love this.

"...for these paths that lead me out."

good one:>)
Renee said…
Dear Kathleen you can help by remaining to be the lovely woman that you are.

Love Renee xoxoxo
Kathleen said…
@Nessa: Wonderful to have a visit from you! Glad you liked to painting and poem!
Kathleen said…
@DBSO: Hello, my friend! When you like poem, all is right with the world! =^D
Kathleen said…
@Derrick: Yes, yes, yes!!! You must take a walk in the woods--with camera in hand! I want to see what you return with and put on your blog. Ready!
Kathleen said…
@Renee: Then I will do my best. But, if you think of anything else, I'm here~
xxoo
Anonymous said…
Hello Kathleen,
First of all, thank you very much for recommending my entry about the untypical snail to the Posts of the week on The Smitten Image blog! I was so surprised when I read it in one of the comments on that entry!!

Secondly, let me highlight the following verse from the poem you posted:
..."for these paths that take me in,
for these paths that lead me out"

It reminds me that there is always not only a path in but also a path out and I find it encouraging. Sometimes we feel trapped not knowing the way out, don't we? :-)
Brian Miller said…
beautiful...those paths that take me in and those that take me out...mmm...
Kathleen said…
@Petra: So delighted to see a comment from you! Yes indeed, the path in and path out are most reassuring. And often they're very different paths, yes? I thought your snail post was delightful, such a lovely reminder of what is rare and beautiful and lowly. Wonderful to make your acquaintance! Hope you'll come back for another visit some time!
Kathleen said…
@Brian: Into the forest and out again . . . how many times have we each gone? For me, both paths have had their gifts. And to be sure, there are times I'd have been quite happy to stay a forest creature. But the time spent there has always been worth it.
Kathleen said…
@Reya: Thank you, one who knows gorgeousness so well! Delightful to have a visit from you. Come back again?

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