Go deep
into the wild
where no one has bruised the earth
where nothing is opaque
and everything you need to know
lies sleeping just below the surface
leave the hounds that trouble you
to bay outside in futility
where we are going
they cannot follow
bring what hurts you here
find a stump or stone
sit and be patient
soon your eyes will adjust
and you will see
how in this darkness
of wood and fern
dogwood petals float
effortless and pale
impossible as phantoms
as though they are attached to nothing
of this earth
for them there is no gravity
see those tiny mushrooms
gathered in a fairy ring
and know they have waited
all this time tender and fragile
they have survived
for this moment
for you alone to see them
notice these tiny forget-me-nots
how even they are important
how they thrive blue and strong
and outnumber giant trees
that rise above them
now listen
the birds know you have come
and sing your welcome
thank them
the wind whispers your name
in a new language
learn it
let fear drop away
and hesitation evaporate
more swift than morning dew
make a truce with yourself
breathe
let everything bloom
that was seeded inside you long ago
and when you leave this place
you will find the hounds have gone
to seek another quarry.