Learning to Dream Winter

I went out with my camera to the place where the big trees stand. the largest one, an ancient oak, stood sentry. he looked at me sternly. i stood before him for a long while, waiting. deep scars were etched  in the bark where barbed wire had grown thick into him.  my feet started to get numb with cold, i was a little frightened, he was so still and stern. 

 i whispered, asking permission to use my camera.  a wind rustled into the silence.   a winter spirit whispered in my ear," Look closely… Listen intently. Underneath the silence you will hear the land humming quietly. We are dreaming here under the snow. Look… come back... over and over again to this place and you will learn to dream with us… we will show you the secrets the humans are forgetting...  we will show you how to dream winter..."

  as if in answer  another old spiritual from childhood  wound through my mind.

…Just when I thought my soul was lost
I heard the angels singing.
My dungeon was shook.. my chains dropped off
I heard the angels sing.
What do you reckon the angels said?
Your sins are forgiven and your soul is free….

And there under the bow of the ancient one stood the angel… with her crow flapping overhead...
she beckoned and i followed and this is what i found....

dreams of flying

last night i dreamt of travel.  of flying.  of wandering here and there.   it's winter on the farm.  while i was away there was a stupendous ice storm.  have not gotten up to the places where the ice lingers because the light has been so murky.   my wings are waiting.  so in the meantime i am going to try and learn the winter.  learn to live gracefully with the gray.  so far have not figured out how to do that.   so far my learning leads me to flying.  and  that will have to do for now.   

Basho

staying among flowers

from beginning to end

about twenty days

go naked

one needs to wear more clothes

in February's storm