Reflections in Nature | Guardians of the Seeds
Where Does Your Happiness Lie?
A Poem — Dig Deeper
While meandering the trails of an enchanted forest, deep into the woods where few ever venture, I stumbled upon a mystical wooden creature named Birk, considered to be the wisest member of the Guardians of the Seeds. It is said he listens to the whispers of the soil and knows all that happens in the wild. The bearded troll bent over, peered deep into me with dark eyes and asked:
Where does your happiness lie?
Obviously, it lies right here alongside the poplars and pines, with the birch and balsam firs that line the leaf-covered paths trodden by countless dreamers; in hearing ovenbirds sing their songs while they play hide and seek up high in the branches. Slowly shaking his enormous head, a planked arm stretched out toward concrete and steel, and the machinations of mankind. He responded with a sadness that rattled my heart:
When my home is gone, where then will your happiness lie?
Perhaps it can be found in the gentle arms of a lover, by the light of the silver moon where bodies become entwined alongside strewn linen, and words embrace the heart with tender whispers, passion lighting up the night with fiery kisses. My answer was once again rebuffed by the sagacious being, who replied in the gentlest of voices that filled me with the sorrow of those who have endured love’s painful loss:
When the flame no longer burns, where then will your happiness lie?
Scratching my head I paced around, muttering to myself, and it came to me as my notebook dropped to the ground, for of course my happiness will lie within the magical words scribbled on parchment and sent into the ether, in the stories that fill my heart with joy and sadness, peace and chaos, love won and love lost, stories that take me on celestial journeys through the stars, yet Birk, with a paternal gaze, looked at me and asked:
When your words are lost in the wind, where then will your happiness lie?
Perplexed and frustrated, I feverishly searched my memories for answers, scrolling through Mediterranean sunsets and the sweet melodies of Gregory Alan Isakov, the tidal marshes of Martin Johnson Heade’s artwork and that sweet lemon square delight, but it all seemed temporal, fleeting in the end. The wise troll pointed in the direction of my heart, where the deep quiet lingers like a soft mist on the waters of my soul’s sanctuary.
It is there that your happiness resides, for though they may try, no one can ever dig deep enough to strip it away.
My visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens was one that truly left me in awe, and transported me to a mystical realm. I took one look at Birk and knew he had a story to tell. Along the journey, I also ran into his friends, Roskva, Lilja, Soren and Gro. The craftsmanship and artistry was beyond description, and I strongly recommend visiting should you find yourself in the area. Click the link below to learn more about the Guardians of the Seeds.
As always, a huge THANK YOU you for taking the time to read my poem. Without you, my voice would be a soft whisper just floating in the air.
If you enjoyed Where Does My Happiness Lie?, you may also be interested in reading my other work:
