The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

The Secret the Wood Fairy Knows

In deep forest with rotten leaves and wood
Where the sun’s light finds it hard to reflect.
Where wind won't blow even if it could
below dense undergrowth, it’s deadwood wrecked.
There is much silence there; all sound in check.

Here’s where the webs of spiders hang and cling
few flowers bloom, but weeds and mosses grow.
Broken branches and twigs which the trees fling
shrivel mushrooms that smell like sour bread dough.
In there hides the things the wood fairy knows.

A secret of life the wood fairy knows.
His burrow dug deep in the undergrowth
as he hibernates under winter's snow
to sneak out come spring to run to and fro
to play tricks on man and animals both.

As he plays in the light between the trees
while hiding in shadows of moss clothed stones.
So very often heard but seldom seen
is his deadwood follies with fancy tones
like the shadows themselves the forest owns.

Here in the deepest woods man seldom finds
the burrows of fairies or nest of crows
for we only go where the bare trail winds
and we walk as if our eyes were closed.
We seldom find what the wood fairy knows.

I have pilfered in deep, dark woods in vain
probing for what the wood fairy owns.
I have concluded we are all the same.
It is in oneself where happiness grows. 
This is the secret the wood fairy knows.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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September 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Mike, I wanted to stop by and add--Congratulations on making it through the first round in the contest. Good luck in the finals! Karen
Stella Avatar
September 27, 2009 at 6:19 AM
OMG Mike its so nice to see this featured thought you left soup have not seen ya for while congrats also on making it to next round keep up the great writing enjoyed this one
Mason Avatar
September 26, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Masterful writing here with great imagery. Love the "... we only go where the bare trail winds and we walk as if our eyes are closed" covers many a life in and out of the woods ... LOL ... A very well-deserved selection to be featured this week at the Soup. I've added it to my favorites list! Congratulations, Mike and I hope to read lots more of your writing soon.
Fraser Avatar
September 25, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week >> James
Brown Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Congratulations on your poem making it through the first round.Wishing you the best in the finals Mike. Love, Carol
 Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 2:33 PM
A nice whimsical feel to this poem. Congratulations on having it featured. I wish you ongoing success with your writing. Karen
Moreno Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Mike, congrats on being featured this week...Raul
George   Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Awesome! Love the ending. Congratulations on your well deserved feature of the week, Mike. Lainie.
Brown Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 4:50 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Mike. Love, Carol
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The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace