Woodland Heraldry Poem by Barry Middleton

the forest words whispered
telling me to stop and listen

I spoke to the forest gods
I heard the song of the nymphs

each tree held a sacred hymn
the hollow beech was mystery

the ancient oak was wisdom
the maple was burgundy grief

the lady of the lake beckoned
and I surrendered my dreams

I gave up my secret wizardry
until I was trapped in poetry

the forest words whispered
they uttered a bleak demand

it was the quest for harmony
a final song of the woodland