In da Woods with da Kids

I have been feeling the NEED for some serious forest time.

I want to lay down in the loamy earth, cover myself with leaves and pine needles and watch the trees dance in the breeze. I want the smell of green moss covered branches to wash over me and rinse the concrete from my soul. I want my bare toes in the muddy and cold, have branches tangled in my hair and have the butt of my pants brown from resting upon the earth.

And Breathe.........

Pine sap upon my fingers... charcoal smidged upon my nose... bits of forest tucked everywhere within my clothes.

and breathe.......

Soon.

But for now, finding a few little forested areas near my home and taking the kids out for a little afternoon picnic here and there can be a band aide on a severed limb.

And they can start to learn about an love the forest and its animals and creeks.

.... and even some of the less known creatures that lurk there.......Like Dragons.......
... and other such spirits. (I think this one had a little help from a more human hand with some mushroom top eyes. He gave Phelan a bit of a scare till I explained to him that this beautiful creature is one of the spirits of the forest who stand watch over it and protect it from those who might wish to do harm.)

The Trees are Watching!! Even though they may seem asleep...................

I need to lie here.

I need to immerse myself.

I need nothing but green

for a little while.

I need to nourish my soul

to stoke it gently to life.

I need to lie on this ancient log

to soak up sky latticed leaves.

I need to wander my eye up

up up a trunk till I can't see.

I need to be here by the creek

to give my boy to the ferns.

I need to breathe rich air

to receive my taste of soil.

Wilderness is no longer a luxury:

Just as my child needs milk from my breast,

this I need from my Mother.

(No I Can't Go Back Yet, by Nirav Sumati 2001)