- How Shall I Answer
I watch the clouds knit themselves together ~
Covering over the tattered edges of the sky ~
And filling in the dark blue holes
In the evolving cloudscape of the night ~
The trees toss their red and golden leaves
Into the maelstrom of the wild and windy air ~
Shattering the gorgeous living tapestry of Autumn
And baring their limbs to the teeth of Winter ~
My Native American ancestors lived by the bounty
Of the living earth beneath their feet ~
And the phases of the moon and the sun and
The seasons ~ guided their moccasined steps ~
Though I live in a city once more ~
Twenty minutes from my door the forest beckons ~
And I feel the tethers loosening as
The wild things whisper my name deep in the night ~
As the moon rises ~ and the trees toss
Their limbs in restless ecstasy ~ enthralled
By the power and the beauty of the windy dark ~
I feel a response from deep within which will not be denied ~
(Originally published October 18, 2010)
© 2012, Melody Haislip. All rights reserved.
I began writing poetry in my early 20s, and then put it aside and forgot it. Then a couple of years ago, I suddenly began writing ~ about everything under the sun ~ and I began to write poetry again. Or perhaps I should say channel more than write, since I feel that I am merely the conduit for some of the pieces I write. Those are the best of times, when the words flow, and those are the words which speak to others. Wish I could live in that state all the time!
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Beautiful poem. It is wonderful to read your words again. I too feel the call of forest and nature. I am absolutely jealous of your posted picture. It reminds me of the woods in Upper Michigan. Enjoy any moments you can escape to your refuge.
Here in Oregon, you don’t have to get too far out of the city to see forests that must look much as they did when Lewis and Clark were here. It speaks to me, and I feel as though I can breathe better here than I ever have. With all these trees, we must have some of the cleanest air in the world! I’m glad you liked it. Thank you.
Melody Haislip recently posted..Chasing Mount Hood
I think I have heard that same call miss Melody.
How profoundly beautiful this is.
Dani Heart recently posted..The Hunger Games movie review
Dani, we’d probably hear it louder and more often if there weren’t so many other voices and noises to drown it out. But it’s still there. We just need to listen. So glad you liked it. Thank you.
Melody Haislip recently posted..Chasing Mount Hood
I have native American blood in me and there is something in my soul that will not let go of the call of the wild. Thank you for this beautiful piece.
Dan Sanders recently posted..Deaths Thunder
Dan, I didn’t know that. I know I don’t look it, but there is definitely something in me that responds, as well. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Melody Haislip recently posted..In Pursuit of Joy
I love this poem, Melody. Wonderful piece all around.
DeanWalker recently posted..Stealing Democracy: Florida Strategy Goes National
Thank you, Dean. It’s one of my favorites, too. Living in Oregon, in the midst of so much beauty and clean, fresh air, I feel close to Nature, as I haven’t since I was a child, running barefoot and free.
Melody Haislip recently posted..In Pursuit of Joy
Melody,
Another beautiful poem written as though your pen is an artist’s brush and your words are colors from a boundless palette.
We can still learn from the Native Americans; I hope they do not neglect, forget, and betray their ways.
Glad you are expressing your wisdom in poetry again.
Larry
Larry Conley recently posted..This Land is Our Land
And, Larry, here’s another lovely artistic compliment from you. Thank you so much.
I’m pretty much at home in the 21st Century, but sometimes I have flashes of a different life and time, a dizzying sensation of déjà vu. Maybe it’s me sending me a message. Interesting thought.
Happy 4th of July!
Melody
Melody Haislip recently posted..In Pursuit of Joy
very beautiful poem Melody, the wild things whisper my name deep in the night….
i love that line
Josh, thank you. And a shout-out to Maurice Sendak, whose wild things have touched so many lives.
Melody Haislip recently posted..Tinder