A Walk as Wood

I started as a piece of rounded firewood

Resting before surrender to my master's axe;

He said: You'll always remain You, ever intact,

As I swing my deliverist arm 'n axe;

So I gave myself up for a bigger cause:

Warming my master's house as firewood;

Yet I found in sacrifice
Torn from wholeness, splintered twice;

If I had the chance to avoid the axe,

I'd say leave the bark, my grains, my heart

From axe as divining rod;

Let me lie untethered whole on my master's

Woodpile staring up just so;

I found I wish to see the sky unbound,
Than being taken and broken up
Even to serve my master's cup;
As you go forward you don't know

What it will like to learn and grow;
How to be still the authentic tree;
And keep the rain, sun, & budding leaves,
And the Forest floor just beyond
The cathedral's door;

Sacrifice is very grand,
Unless you'd rather breathe & stand
The way, the way you always were:
Simple bark and holy grain,
Rings from years
And forest's rains.

By Connie Nelson Ahlberg
All Rights Reserved
April 11, 2014

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