My absolute favorite thing is finding a poem that is so brilliant that it etches itself on my heart and this poem by Hannah Stephenson did exactly that. I first discovered it in the beginning of September but I have reread it dozens of times since.
I picked it for today because it is the perfect poem for me trekking around Presque Isle State Park. There are things that I absolutely love about the poem… you will note there is absolutely no punctuation. It is brilliant and makes me feel like it is actually the trees that have taken over the poem and are breathing it directly into my being.
Today (and every day since I have been here) I will be with the trees, and the water, and the birds… and loving every single moment. My wish for you is that this poem will breathe its way into your being… Happy Thursday, dear friends!
Ancient Language
by Hannah Stephenson
If you stand at the edge of the forest
and stare into it
every tree at the edge will blow a little extra
oxygen toward you
It has been proven
Leaves have admitted it
The pines I have known
have been especially candid
One said
that all breath in this world
is roped together
that breathing is
the most ancient language
Ancient Language by Hannah Stephenson. Copyright © 2016 by Hannah Stephenson.
You can learn more about Hanna Stephenson here.
A huge thanks to Bonny for gathering us all together! If you want to share a poem today, please join us!
This is beautiful! This poem is going on the shelves near my sink so I can see it, read it, and take it in several times each day. Thanks for sharing and thanks so much for participating while you’re on vacation!
This poem made me take a deep deep breath. Thanks
Such an easy to read poem that conveys a great message.
Be still for a while and just ……breathe. We are one
I feel such calm reading this poem — and I hope your time in nature is doing the same for you!
What a beautiful poem, Kat. And so perfect for forest-walking times. (Keeping this one for up north . . . ) XO