Lost (by Danaeah B.)
A friend’s recent visit to the Pacific northwest reminded me of one of my favorite poems which seems very pertinent to our effort and our discussion here. It was written by David Wagoner, and echoes instructions northwest Native American elders gave their children, on what to do if they became lost in the forest.
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven,
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
David Wagoner, cited in The Heart Aroused by David Whyte, ISBN 0385484186
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Wow – a lovely poem! So much to be learned by standing still. For some reason this recalls to mind Bill Bryson’s book about the Appalachian Trail, “A Walk in the Woods”. Thank you!
Indeed a lovely poem.Thanx Dani