Above ground
winter trees are visible networks
branches sturdy
forking from their trunks
slendering into sky
twig tines getting finer
the further out and up they go 

well we know
reflects the Widow Wyile
this same pattern
repeats in the roots
and rootlets networking
down below

winter trees are
wondrous beauties
a constant reminder
awaiting notice
of life’s intricacies and interconnections
laid bare in the season of rest
and multiplied wherever trees
stand together 

connections
further amplified
by living stories
the recent or remaining traces
of birds and small creatures
whose overlapping domains
nests and pathways
interact with weathers 

rains and snows fall
winds blow or howl
sun moon and stars shine
upon all these
details and signs
layered   &   forking
in ways most anyone
can observe and make sense of

And as you contemplate
the many wonders of this world
one question forks
into another
and another
layers
multi-
plies
how far up and out
or down and deep? 

the wonders surely go
far above the visible firmament
well beyond our sequestered star system
from which we all some way hail
well into the mysterious core
of mother earth and our very selves

through all beings   matters   and time
run intimate connections
obvious           obscured
            denied            
perplexing    dubious
obfuscated                  clear       

dancing branches sounding
in the wintry air
are invitations
to pose questions 

how much or little is not
what we have come to believe
through alleged authorities
through acceptance and repetition?
what exactly are the rules
in this game of fact or fiction
with permeable borders?
who’s played with the rules?
whose rules are in play?
did we all agree?

What if we allow ourselves
the grace of acorns
buried and forgotten?
            then we are
           free to sprout
            come spring

            root
            and
            rise 

into
what
shall be

true
to
ourselves 

our core
star song
selves 

Welcome wonders
worlds unknown
possibilities
perfections
organic lattices
burgeoning
new worlds
of graceful
living
geometries 

we
are
ready