she walked between the twisted boughs
in evening light of furrowed gold
the spiky lengths of mellowed sun
increased her sense of otherness

what standing people were these trees
shapes carved by thoughts or so it seemed
of ram, leonine shape or dragons frozen
in fearful gape

the tallest oaks of fullness greened
their bark the armour against our sins
inward resilience and outward strength
protecting our fragility

a calm of settled wisdom
tranquil to her heightened mind
instead of time and here and now
an ancient stillness held her bound

she touched the knotted wounds
and felt the power of deep resource
sad for man's shortsightedness
in awe of natural force