Upon the Unexpected Road
On quite an uneventful
day, in quite an uneventful way
Walked I within a forest
near, and this is what I heard it say:
"Annuk'ha qu'andonad
- On'peqin amad-odod."
And inquiring of the
nearest tree to speak again - It gave a nod!
And then it spoke the
forest deep, as if awaking from a sleep.
"Welcome, stand among
us now, and precious do our secrets keep."
"You've left behind
your Earthly lands, and things made all by human hands.
Beyond these boughs held
up in joy, a place of wondrous whimsy stands."
"Indeed," said
I, "As not aloud, have I talked with bark and branches proud.
Into dreams have now I strayed, or with new vision am endowed?"
The trees they laughed a
chorus all, and gave me pause to feel quite small.
"You are not
changed," the trees replied, "But now is veil that once was
wall.
You sought us in your very
heart though knew you not the play or part.
The way is made for few to
pass and in yourself you set the chart.
And now come in, and
hearken close, to what the water speaks and knows.
And stone and wind do find
as well a reason for the path they chose."
"But how tis it I've
come to roam, in place so strange so close to home,
where trees converse and
rocks decide and voices linger in the foam?"
"Child of Earth, the
bark and bough cannot explain the why or how,
but set your foot upon the
path, and find the answer, then or now."
"But welcome me, in
foreign place, with human heart and human face?
Since time was time my kin
have harmed, and made a ruin of Nature's grace."
Now all the boughs I saw
to shake in memory of such mistake.
Yet seeming so to gently
smile, the leaves above me ceased to quake.
"Oh child, do not
condemn all deed, but simply plant your caring seed.
For know we well that
loving heart is spark for such a fire to start.
Do come, and make your
presence known, and gifts within shall soon be shown.
Better are we all indeed,
when we in hope stand not alone."
And then beyond in shadows
rose a silhouette in standing pose,
a hooded figure walking
tall, with slender beak instead of nose.
Appeared did he into the
glade, and smartly was his tunic made.
Of braided root and
flowered strand and grasses wound in fine brocade.
His pointed boots at toes
curled round, and wore he bells of tinkling sound,
and his cape of patch'd
moss and fur did drag so gently on the ground.
Bowing low he spoke and
said "We greet you well, with lowered head.
Come out now all, where
'ere you be, and child of earth be welcom'd.
And then behind the shapes
of trees there moved yet silhouettes in threes.
Uncountable in numbers
more appeared a flock of Feathabees!
As slender as the trees
they stood, on tiptoe there at edge of wood.
And smiles upon their
faces showed intention only to be good.
Some stood more than man
is tall, and others were as babe is small.
Rich feathered plumage did
they wear of every color, lovely all.
Most everyone wore cap or
hat, bonnet, bloomer, boot and spat
and cloak and cape and
tunic too, and also rags, imagine that!
Their eyes were brown and
silver green, and blue with somewhat purple sheen.
Indeed, I thought, whilst
looking 'round, tis strangest sight that I have seen.
"Be not afraid,"
they all assured, "For though you are not like a bird,
with joyful song we all
have come, and of your coming we have heard."
"Do come now, join us
if you will, as daylight wanes and grass be still.
And in our yonder home do
rest, in safety to the dawn until."
And beckoning with slender
hand, who still in hood and cape did stand
the first of them he spoke
again, and said, "Of course tis no demand."
"Zwindar is my given
name, and leads this merry band the same.
To take you safely to our
lands was altogether here our aim."
"Go I along I shall a
while," I answered with a merry smile,
and taking Westered path
through trees we followed sundown for a mile.
Meadows wide and streams
we passed, through tow'ring trees and fragrant grass.
And soon the winking
village lights did twinkle yon in golden mass.
"Thereon be Lands of
Mirico," said Zwindar paused at high plateau.
Soon all hungers, thirsts
and yearns shall pass away along with woe."
And putting 'round myself
his wing, he spoke as might a regal king,
"For though you be
quite far from home, you shall not want for anything."
And downward into valley
lush the Feathabees they all did rush,
all dancing, even singing
too, at first in happy humming hush.
Then voice by voice they
all sang out so merrily along the route
In homeward mood and
pleasant tones a homebound tune they sang about.
"Sweetest light we
bid you go, but back again you'll come we know.
Let moons against the dark
be strung, and like the Beable, let them glow."
"Rest we all,
together here, in comfort to each other near
and welcome Child of Earth
anew, and bring her rest devoid of fear."
Given was I place
to sleep, in mossy grotto soft and deep,
within the shelter of the
trees in nightlong vigil sure to keep.
"This humble bed
please do accept," said Zwindar, "And do safe be kept.
For many ages in the trees
like this have all our kin well slept.
Do dream, and look to'ward
the rise, where sun shall warm the waking skies,
and I to you will then
return, as the night that now lives dies."
Then bidding me
goodnight at last, Zwindar into shadows passsed.
And for a time the songs
rang out, until to silence all was cast.
Then the night took up the
song, with swaying leaves and humming throng.
And quite content was I to
dream, for in this place did I belong.