These are the woods who nursed my inner child

These are the woods who nursed my inner child

These are the trees who suckled me with their sap,

Who nourished me back to health when I was almost depleted

When life had me leave,

These woods were still supporting me

These are the woods who offered her wood to keep me warm in the night,

Who protected me and bathed me in sweet moonlight.

These are the woods that taught me to sing,

Who taught me to dance, who taught me to be.

These are the woods who heard me cry and soothed me with her gentle lullaby.

These are the woods who introduced me to myself, from whose breast I nursed the sweet milk of remembrance.

These woods introduced me to my doe and my roots.

They gave me breath and life.

These woods are the sacred mother spirit in my life.

She brings me up in love,

And lets me go spread what she’s taught me.

I am the dedicated child who will make her mother proud.

I have the strength and the confidence to leave her sweet rich bosom and face the world.

She gave me the courage, and when I leave these woods, I never abandon the mother.

I carry her with me always.

The smell of tulip poplar is a purple stripe in my heart.