My secret lies deep in the woods. The birch trees stand as sentries, strong thighs and wide eyes to watch for threat approaching. And yet it’s only me who comes, only me who seeks. Deep, deep, deep within along a pathless journey. I alone follow her heart beating, I alone settle the birch trees’ worries.
Beneath their strong arms she stands. A cobbled hut, forgotten. Walls puzzle pieced together with smooth rocks. A thatch roof, alive with every rustling breeze, exhales release. She sighs to see me.
I mind her in golden haze, light distilled in Autumn’s flame. Sweep the cobwebs, patch her cracks, prune the wildflowers. Wild as ever. Drown dust from her panes, ignite hearth and soul, clean her wounds. Gentle, tender.
She is me, and I her memory realized in waking reality. Protector, savior. A friend to dispel loneliness, to practice unbound selflessness. Enemy turned lover. Deep, deep, deep within along a pathless journey, I find our heart beating.
© Samantha Burgett 2023
Photo: Not birch trees, ha, but a photo I took last Autumn.
More poetry – “Unraveling: Diary of a Healing Soul.
8 Comments
The Creative Chic
September 19, 2023 at 4:34 pmwonderful writing
Samantha Burgett
September 19, 2023 at 5:50 pmThank you!
Michele Lee
September 19, 2023 at 6:18 pmOutstanding, Samantha! Both your story and your storytelling. 👏🏻
K.F. Hartless
September 21, 2023 at 5:22 pm“Enemy turned lover.” As I stare out at the towering pine trees, I understand this powerful line more and more. Moving, Samantha.
Tamara
September 23, 2023 at 4:18 pmI really love how you have audio of you reading this. How cool. It brings me back to the days when I used to go to open mics.
Samantha Burgett
September 25, 2023 at 10:16 amOhhh you used to go to open mics? That’s awesome! I’ve always been intrigued to go, but haven’t had the nerves to try. (Maybe one day!) I’m glad you enjoyed this though; I might try to record more for future posts!
Tamara
September 25, 2023 at 10:20 amI had a low key addiction to them, actually. I would go to several different ones for years. I managed to become feature poet one night, won best poet of the night on another, and even hosted my own open mic for a time. I highly recommend going! When I first went I was shaking like a leaf, but it got easier over time. You have a lot of talent.
Samantha Burgett
September 25, 2023 at 10:51 amOh wow, you do have quite a history with open mic nights! That’s wonderful and a great encouragement to just give it a try sometime. Thank you so much!