The woods haven’t always
welcomed me but today
they did.
Strangers haven’t always
greeted me kindly but today
they smiled hello.
Once, I would have been afraid
of this hiding place.
Today, I sought it out.
Once, I’d have been terrified
of dogs running
in my direction.
Today, I opened my hands
to their tongues,
stroked their heads.
In another lifetime,
I fled to the woods
for survival.
I failed
to save my child,
my sister. Never again.
Today, once again,
the woods were refuge,
now of a different sort.
A place to touch
into peace. A refusal.
A pause. A quiet roar.
14/30
**
Donate to my efforts to support the Center For New Americans in Northampton, MA: I’m halfway to my $500 fundraising goal and every bit helps.
