Pavillion of Pines

I bow as I enter 

The hushed cathedral 

Lush leaves arching 

Amid the pavilion of pines

A collage of ferns, fronds and fungi

Greets me in the gallery,

My feet treading lightly 

Upon the forest floor 

I hear the cadence of raindrops,

Cascading in the distance, 

See dew dangling 

By a spider’s 

Artistry de jour 

I am captivated 

By colour, shade and shadow,

Drawn further in 

By birdsong 

Of whippoorwills and warblers

Wafting through 

The scent of cedar boughs

I pause 

And ponder

This sacred sanctuary 

Where I kneel down 

To lift up 

A fallen leaf,

Weather beaten and torn

And rise 

With refreshment 

Filling my spirit, 

Feeding my soul

I leave this place of grace

Silently transformed