Today I walked my first labyrinth. Here in Winnipeg we have the Carol Shield’s labyrinth in memory of the author who has written many books and plays. The entrance is flanked by two large stone collages of quotes from her book.
As I walked along I noticed the leaf buds had bloomed into clusters of leaves. The mantra played through my head “Winter is over, the leaves have budded.” Not far along I saw crocuses beautiful even in their faded glory and pink buds beginning to unfurl.
I stopped and looked around. Trees were leafing out everywhere.
How had I missed this? The last I remember really looking, the leaves were hidden in tight brown coverings just emerging from the branches. The thought struck me, in holding winter in my mind grieving a loss I could not change, I was missing the spring!
My thoughts turned to a poem I had remembered reading. In the meandering space of time, I was here in this moment. I took this thought out of the labyrinth. “Spring is here. Embrace the new growth.”
Lost
By David Wagner
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 a place for you.
If you leave it, you may come again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
Andie's writing journey 