I am somewhat late on the annual Imbolc post-a-poem-for-Brigid fest (but not really by my calculation, since the way I calculate things Imbolc began yesterday and carries through today, and indeed I celebrate it for about ten days), but here is my offering. It’s a wonderful poem that Pasley found and asked HRH to read at Tallis’ naming ceremony yesterday.
Advice from a Tree
By Ilan Shamir
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
It was wonderful advice to give to an infant, and good for everyone to hear. (The ceremony was lovely; Tallis was the only one not crying. A success all round. More tomorrow.)
This poetry offering ties in to the ones being sponsored by Oak (who is carrying on the tradition begun by Reya), among others.
wow! Well, this one is going to be printed out and put somewhere where I can read it daily. For someone who was given the name “Oak” – it resonants deeply. Thank you!!
Thanks for posting this! I’m going to bookmark it for future use.
I’ve spent a very enjoyable time in the wee hours looking at the poetry various people posted via Oak. Thank you, and I’m so glad you like the poem, which I discovered while looking up poems with forest or tree imagery for Tallis.
Happy Imbolc!
Just for reference: Bev has posted her into and the text of Neil Gaiman’s Blueberry Girl, the poem she read at Tallis’ ceremony, here.
And for more reference: The text of the poem Devon wrote and read out at the ceremony is here.