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May 10, 2010

Earth Mother’s Song

I’ve seen a broad field awash in fog,
gray-blanketed like a misplaced pond.
That same field, one dark summer morn,
lay a-twinkle, festooned with bright fireflies.

I’ve seen a great horned owl appear,
alighting atop a tall pine, majestic and wise.
Resting briefly, then silently swooping down
to disappear into the dark woods.

I’ve seen a pine martin stealing along,
dipping between the fallen birch and cedar,
popping up unexpectedly in a new spot,
red eyes glowing in my flashlight beam.

I’ve heard a tom turkey’s questioning call,
seeking to uncover this brash imposter.
A slow, hidden funeral procession
bursting forth to claim their roost.

I’ve heard lake echoes of spring frogs peeping
seeking mates among the green reeds,
the surrounding din of a million crickets creeping
on a hot August night, throbbing with life.

I’ve heard thunder roll along for miles
'til a blinding white flash-strobed silhouettes
of stark, stiletto tree shadows all around
and the deafening clap froze me in place.

I’ve smelled the sweet, pine-scented winds
that blow through the north woods, thick
with undertones of green moss carpets
and ferns inexplicably bright in the shade.

I’ve smelled the musty down of a grouse
that loudly took flight at my approach,
unseen through the yellow aspen boughs,
revealing this visitor clumsy in his ream.

I’ve smelled an oncoming storm
blowing in from the west,
deepening the sense of isolation,
submersion in a still-wild place.

As a child I learned Earth Mother’s song
and it still sings deep within my heart.
I learn a new verse each time I venture
into those places where she yet dwells.

22 comments:

  1. After experiencing such beautiful connection... who needs anything else

    Awesome poem...Lovely NAture!

    ;)
    Dulce

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  2. You take me back to trips of the past, to the forests, fields and solitude that makes me what I am. I enjoyed this re-awakening to the beauty that surrounds us. Excellent job. Thanks Gay

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  3. ah, i love that song...i have a deep yearning for it and follow it along old paths quite often...nice one shot eric!

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  4. Very nice write my friend. I have to admit the last two stanzas are my favourite. Love and Light, Sender

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  5. beautiful write on nature....she is our Mother and our dearest teacher...she has taught you well...blessings...bkm

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  6. Beautiful tour of nature's bounty. Great One Shot.

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  7. Rich vision and celebration of the earth. Thanks - Bill

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  8. Beautiful poem, Eric. Nature is such a gift and appreciating it is an even greater one.

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  9. Mother Nature is a Hot Bitch!!

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  10. As a child I learned Earth Mother’s song
    and it still sings deep within my heart.
    I learn a new verse each time I venture
    into those places where she yet dwells.

    beautiful tribute to nature..:)loved those lines..perfect!

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  11. If you've done all that you've lived a rich full life.And expressed it well.

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  12. Love the imagery, and the gradualy build-up toward the end. Nice one.

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  13. Beautiful, Eric. You took me out there into Mother Nature's concert hall with you.

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  14. To be silent in a forest is to hear the true nature of silence. Thanks for dropping by to read my poem. Hope your week goes well

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  15. so visual
    and I could smell the pine woods
    a place of wonder

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  16. How wonderful to have such a connection to Mother Earth. Living in the country, this is a poem I could easily relate to. Excellent!

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  17. Lovely!! The sounds and sights of nature are musical, and most pleasing...
    Even claps of thunder form a symphony of their own, even breezes carry their own instruments of tune... all we need to do is sit and listen..

    I really enjoyed the pace and flow of this poem, Eric..

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  18. Wonderful write. Thanks for visiting my blog. By the way, you commented that my poem was not very timely as we were heading into fall but I'm from New Zealand and it's Spring time here. Hehe!

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  19. If i wasnt connected to the outdoors - i certainly am now! fantastic read as you take us through different elements of the outdoors.

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  20. Eric beautiful, beautiful piece. I too learned the song of Mother Earth as a child and learn more each time I am in her presence. My favorite stanza or the one that stands out the most to me is

    I’ve smelled the sweet, pine-scented winds
    that blow through the north woods, thick
    with undertones of green moss carpets
    and ferns inexplicably bright in the shade.

    I can smell the pine and feel the moss between my toes. lol I miss living north and dream of sitting on the carpeted floor of the deep woods. I know I will there again, life has taken me elsewhere for a while.
    Thank for the wonderful comment on Poets United and my blog. I have been busy its taken me a while to get to you and I'm so happy I finally did make it to read this poem. Miigwech :)
    You are in the UP, right? It's been some years I have been there. Which part?

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  21. No, I'm in the southeast LP, not far from Detroit, in a small town called Westland.

    But I've been to the U.P. plenty of times, and I go up to the northern lower penninsula frequently to visit family members.

    I hope you'll soon get to return to the north country you love so much, River.

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  22. "as a child i learned Earth Mother's song"
    and it is so beautiful that you continue to nurture and learn from her. it is easy to get out of the habit of stopping, listening, appreciating her. love this, eric. so beautiful.

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