The Clearing

Forest bathe with me Discard the weight upon your shoulders Absorb the energy from the Earth Bathe in the light of The Forest Find a clearing Surrounded by trees Ancient and wise They have seen many lives lived From beginning to end They state confidently that anguish Isn't helpful or productive Set your worries aside Soak in the rippling dappled light Observe the way the branches sway Resynchronise your senses Breathe in deeply Breathe out fully Expelling the stresses and strains The clearing The cleansing The coaxing back Of the art of living gently Feeling at ease and without burden With nature by your side Always and forever there Fill up those vacated spaces Where unhelpful thoughts resided With the whispers from the trees That you are where you need to be On your journey With the strength and stability To make strides when you need to And rest when required You are in the clearing Where the light comes through Restoring you, giving you warmth Providing comfort you can carry with you Return as often as you need to The clearing amidst the trees Is always there The Clearing Poetry Contest 10th February 2023 Sponsored by: Craig Cornish