Great poem. I just wanted to say I love trees. Many drunken nights in my youth, friends would find me with my arms wrapped around a tree by the road like you describe, the bigger the better, saying things like “Oh you’re a good tree! Good job growing!” So yeah, I get it!
I say yes, embrace your true nature (pun intended). Do not let the rush of expectations that capitalism has decided is our culture force you into a state of permanent anxiety. It’s a trick game: there is no amount of “productivity” that will ever make one feel satisfied or enough. You have to make that decision for yourself.
And wow, that poem is beyond beautiful. I read it a few times and will come back to it. You have tremendous wisdom and talent, and you are so young. Bravo!
Thank you for the note Mike! I appreciate everything you said about productivity. And THANK YOU for your kind words 💙 I hope you return to this piece as often as you’d like to
Maybe the only real thing is new leaves. I'd like to think so. Thank you for sharing this beautiful, peace inducing writing. I actually think there is some scientific research that shows being in nature reduces stress. Also, seeing birds increases happiness more than money does. So the solution to many of our problems is to go outside and take deep breaths and hug the trees.
Beautiful poem...visceral, inviting and so much imagery. I relate to so much of the letting go, releasing, accepting. The path is never linear. Your wisdom and skill is amazing and will only grow and evolve as you age. I love trees-drawing, painting and writing about them. Perfect poem to read with coffee this morning. Thank you.
Love this poem and fully align with "I think the reason why it feels so peaceful to be in nature is the feeling of being just another organic life-form". It's like letting go of all mind creations.
Thank you for sharing your work Anagha! I turn 28 this week and felt a similar peace forming around 26 - wanting to fight myself less and develop greater self acceptance.
My favorite line was the one your pointed out - “mossy boughs stretching out,
out, as if edges were make-believe,” - beautiful with a touch of whimsical (just like trees 💚)
Forrest bathing. The best way to reinhabit lives being pushed in too many directions. I hear you. I’m new to Substack and feel honored to having been led here. You might enjoy my piece, “The Sentience of Trees.”
Great poem. I just wanted to say I love trees. Many drunken nights in my youth, friends would find me with my arms wrapped around a tree by the road like you describe, the bigger the better, saying things like “Oh you’re a good tree! Good job growing!” So yeah, I get it!
Drunken tree hugging, I love it, haha! All trees are truly good trees 🌳
Oh my gosh, I love this image. Have you read The Overstory by Richard Powers?
Beautiful words, beautiful poem!!
Thank you!
To be
Rooted in the mother earth
Arms upraised
To catch
Sun blessings
Breaths of winds
Clouds cooling water
Adding truth rings
To your body
And dreams,
Ah, dreams to your
Heartwood.
Thank you.
Dreams to your heartwood, wow that’s beautiful Malcolm.
Thanks Anagha.
I say yes, embrace your true nature (pun intended). Do not let the rush of expectations that capitalism has decided is our culture force you into a state of permanent anxiety. It’s a trick game: there is no amount of “productivity” that will ever make one feel satisfied or enough. You have to make that decision for yourself.
And wow, that poem is beyond beautiful. I read it a few times and will come back to it. You have tremendous wisdom and talent, and you are so young. Bravo!
Thank you for the note Mike! I appreciate everything you said about productivity. And THANK YOU for your kind words 💙 I hope you return to this piece as often as you’d like to
Thank you for the mention!
Of course!
Maybe the only real thing is new leaves. I'd like to think so. Thank you for sharing this beautiful, peace inducing writing. I actually think there is some scientific research that shows being in nature reduces stress. Also, seeing birds increases happiness more than money does. So the solution to many of our problems is to go outside and take deep breaths and hug the trees.
Thank you Trisha! And I definitely believe the research about nature reducing stress. Thank you for reading 💙
That felt good. :)
Btw, 26 is relatively young to be relaxing into yourself. I'm in my late 30's and feel like I, now, just might be getting the hang of it.
I'll look out for your next poem next week.
Thanks :)
Thank you so much David! I'm so glad you liked it. And I think we're all, always just getting the hang of it :) Thrilled to have a new reader.
Beautiful poem...visceral, inviting and so much imagery. I relate to so much of the letting go, releasing, accepting. The path is never linear. Your wisdom and skill is amazing and will only grow and evolve as you age. I love trees-drawing, painting and writing about them. Perfect poem to read with coffee this morning. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it Charlene, and I’m thrilled that you relate!
Love this poem and fully align with "I think the reason why it feels so peaceful to be in nature is the feeling of being just another organic life-form". It's like letting go of all mind creations.
So glad you resonate with it, Niall!
💙💙💙
Thank you for sharing your work Anagha! I turn 28 this week and felt a similar peace forming around 26 - wanting to fight myself less and develop greater self acceptance.
My favorite line was the one your pointed out - “mossy boughs stretching out,
out, as if edges were make-believe,” - beautiful with a touch of whimsical (just like trees 💚)
Thank you Franchesca! Thanks for reading ☺️
Forrest bathing. The best way to reinhabit lives being pushed in too many directions. I hear you. I’m new to Substack and feel honored to having been led here. You might enjoy my piece, “The Sentience of Trees.”
Thanks for reading Jean, and I’ll surely check out your piece!
Beautiful.
Thank you so much Margaret 💙
That was excellent and . . . peaceful. Trees are some of the most beautiful, thought-provoking things in creation.
I think so too; thanks for reading Evelyn
Trees and nature just are the perfect envelope to be in to refresh from daily activity and turmoil.
I agree!
Wow, I was transported into your world. Isn’t that the point of poetry? Beautiful
Thank you Aditi ☺️ too kind
Beautiful words and imagery Anagha. I can absolutely relate to the need to slip through into another space, and escape the pace of it all for a while.
My favourite tree to hug is the Giant Sequoia. Resting my cheek against the sponginess of the bark always takes me home.
Thanks for the comment Christina, and I love the image of hugging a Giant Sequoia