What the Woods Hold

Summary

Katie Rodante reflects on the woods as a repository for her deepest hopes and fears, and acknowledges a symbiotic relationship where she holds the forest's secrets just as it holds hers.

Abstract

In a poetic response to Hirsch Singh's poem "Camouflage," Katie Rodante shares her personal connection with the woods, which she views as a guardian of her innermost thoughts and emotions. She confesses that the woods are a sanctuary where she can release her hopes and dreams, as well as a place to harbor her despair and fears—things too sensitive to share with others. Over the years, Rodante has come to realize that her relationship with the woods is reciprocal; she has become an integral part of the forest, carrying its secrets within her. The article concludes with Rodante tagging several poets to continue the "never-ending poem" with the prompt "tiger," and invites all readers to participate.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep emotional connection with nature, particularly the woods, which serves as a living diary for her.
She feels that the woods not only safeguard her aspirations but also provide a haven for her darker emotions and vulnerabilities.
The author suggests that her bond with the woods has grown to the point where she believes the forest also depends on her, implying a mutual exchange of secrets and perhaps care.
Rodante appreciates the creative exchange within the poetry community, as evidenced by her engagement with Hirsch Singh's poem and her invitation to other poets to contribute to the ongoing poetic dialogue.
The article reflects the author's transition from a paralegal career to pursuing her passion for creative writing, highlighting her commitment to and fulfillment from her current vocation.

trees full of secrets—a never-ending poem response

The woods keep things for me they guard my hopes the dreams I won’t tell another human so I whisper to the trees to the squirrels and deer to the brooks and streams

Because I can’t hold onto them all or I will burst for I am too full of hope too excited for the future to keep it all inside

but that’s not the whole story even in this diary here I am trying to keep up appearances

the truth is the woods hold more than my hopes nature guards my despair, my fears my misunderstandings things I am embarrassed to say out loud or even write down

I will say this — I need the woods and after visiting for years I’m beginning to think the woods need me, too it isn’t just the trees that hold my secrets the forest’s secrets are buried deep in me

Thank you to Hirsch Singh, MSc for tagging me in your poem “Camouflage.” I enjoyed writing a response to the prompt “Woods” and appreciate you including me in the never-ending poem.

I’d love to tag a few poets now to keep the never-ending poem going — Amy Marley, Shoreditchpoet, Valeria Martinez, Eli Snow, R Tsambounieri Talarantas, Uchechi Obasi, Neha Sandhir S. To the poets I have listed, your prompt is “tiger.” To anyone else reading this, you are welcome to respond to the prompt as well — please do!

Thanks for reading!

Katie Rodante is a writer living in sunny Dallas, Texas with her loving husband, two wild young children, and a lazy maltese. While she began her career as a paralegal, she found her passion is in creative fiction. Her works include a poetry book of Halloween haiku titled Autumn Reveries, several short stories, and two in-progress novels: a women’s fiction novel about love and loss, and a fantasy series involving wizards and music. Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter which explores the intersection of creativity and intentional living.

What the Woods Hold

trees full of secrets—a never-ending poem response

Camouflage

A Tanka!