The Light Shining Within Trees

Mary,

I wish you the light shining within trees and all things—

Susan Rogers

 

What Trees Say

Toyama, Japan

 

In the shrine

of an unknown God

I follow the path 
of seekers.

 

We have come

to this holy ground

charged with light

to offer respect and prayer.

 

The tour leader

does not know whom

is  honored here

or how to address

 

our greeting properly.

He knows the language

of the country but cannot

decipher the name of God

 

from the weathered sign

at the entrance to the shrine.

I am at a loss as how to pray

or speak in harmony

 

with this ancient place.

So many Gods—

which one is here?

I pause at the top

 

of  many steps

admiring light

sifting through  leaves

bringing every color

 

into clarity.

Where are the answers

that I need? I wrap

my arms around a tree

 

and lean there,

listening.

In quiet I hear 
“Love.”

 

The second one

says “Focus.”

The third is silent.

As is the fourth,

 

but I wait there

measuring silence

sinking into the heart

of tree

 

until I finally hear

“hope,”

the warmth

of an inner knowing

 

filling me,

these unknown trees—

this light filled sky

and I in communion.