The Creek — Where The Wise Woman Waits

Summary

The text is a reflective poem about the author's encounter with a wise woman by a creek, symbolizing personal growth and the wisdom gained from nature.

Abstract

Nestled within the dense greenery by the creek, a wise woman waits, embodying the natural elements that shape the landscape. The author describes a serene setting where they find themselves in communion with nature, sitting upon a nest of yellow grass with their legs resting on the moist earth. A heart-shaped reflection on the water's surface hints at the presence of the 'lovely one' who listens intently. The author recounts the various paths taken through life's swift currents and gentle waters, learning from the earth and finding wisdom in the journey. The sound of water leads to a conversation with the wise woman, whose words are soft and sweet, discussing life's offerings. The poem concludes with the author stepping from the natural creek bed onto a man-made surface, reflecting on the contrast between the natural and artificial world, while their friend, the wise woman, laughs joyfully, appreciating life's gentleness and kindness.

Opinions

The author perceives strength in the injured spirit and finds value in the seemingly insignificant aspects of life.
Nature, particularly the creek and its surroundings, is presented as a source of wisdom and comfort.
The wise woman is portrayed as a nurturing figure who provides guidance and a sense of belonging.
The act of listening and engaging with nature is depicted as a transformative experience.
The poem suggests a critique of modern, man-made environments, contrasting them with the natural world's inherent wisdom.
The author values the simple joys of life, such as tending to plants and people, and sees beauty in the mundane.

Poem

Greens dense and dark there she waits. Sand and roots give home to rocks that forever shore up the land.

I sit upon a nest of yellow grass as my legs slide resting on the moist earth stretched ankles searching to leave the land.

The shape of a heart from deep in shadows upon the water glistens for the lovely one who always listens.

A hint. A movement pulls me in to see the shapes, and feel the cool awakening of where I’ve been and what I’ve sought. Oh, from the gifts of the earth I’ve learned. Through waters dark and deep I’ve found my life in this little creek.

Many paths I’ve walked through currents swift and felt the gentle trickle of waters and sand and soft living moss on my feet.

The sound of water near and far a circling pool forming where I and the wise woman are. And she speaks, soft and sweet — soft and sweet.

And we chat. We chat about many things and all that the earth and the waters bring Safety and comfort there for all to share.

I lift my wet and naked foot from the rocks I’ve walked and I step on the edge of dark and light to the man-made surface bright.

My friend sits and smiles on a hill of stones and she laughs. She laughs for all of life and gentle kindness.

November 18th, 2016 For Christine Lewis

Thank you for reading my simple words. I tend plants and people from my 120-year-old home and small garden. I see strength in the injured spirit and find significance in the insignificant.