Cyra Noe

by David Wagoner

Stand still.
The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost.
Wherever you are is called Here.
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes.
Listen.
It answers.
I have made this place around you,
And if you leave it
You may come back again
Saying …
”Here.”
No two trees are the same to raven.
No two branches are the same to wren