Fairy door on oak – November 29, 2016

Fairy door on oak – February 11, 2020

One day the fairies will close their doors
lock the locks and retreat to the places
where, though we may seek them,
we’ll not be able to find them.

The welcome offered by the green
glorious world may be withdrawn;
the joyful play of creation in the garden
of time – the cosmos in slants of sunlight
on the floors, shadows in corners, swaying
branch movements in the pale air – may
no longer find a place in human words.

Still there is time, the precious gift
given, offered to peoples who alone
count the minutes, stash them away
into the past, wondering, fearful,
how many more may yet be theirs.

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Portland, Oregon – February 18, 2020

This is our front yard oak tree, damaged by a hit and run driver. The injury is giving way to the healing work of a great tree.  I like to think that the artwork of our granddaughter, Audrey, acted as a bandage to assist in the healing process.  Then, all the children in the three years since who have stopped to play by that door.