The Trees are in Repose

 Winter now,
 whether by light, 
 temperature or precipitation,
 and the trees know.
  
 Walk in a woodland,
 an orchard, a forest,
 or stand by a tree,
 listen, sense, engage
 what the tree lives now –
 it is time to rest, 
 it is time to connect deeply
 with the nurturance
 of the land
 where roots sent deeply,
 rapped in mycorrhizal blankets,
 sustain and strengthen,
 preparing for the spring awakening
  
 Winter now,
 whether by light, 
 temperature or precipitation,
 and the trees know.
  
 Trees teach that always pushing out,
 always reaching up,
 always producing,
 is not a show of power, 
 is not a badge of strength,
 is not s sign of wisdom,
 for trees, 
 many far longer lived than humans,
 spend time each year in winter
 in quietude,
 no leafing, 
 no twigging, 
 no flowering,
 no fruiting,
 all of which have a season,
 have a place and purpose,
 but the purpose of winter,
 this is different.
  
 Winter now,
 whether by light, 
 temperature or precipitation,
 and the trees know.
  
 Listen and learn
 from the trees this year;
 this winter slow down,
 allow time for renewal,
 experience quietude,
 reach deeply for what
 truly nurtures and sustains,
 and know what the trees
 have always known –
 you cannot be powerful,
 strong or wise if you do not.
  
 Winter now,
 whether by light, 
 temperature or precipitation,
 and the trees know.