poem titled Forest Cathedral

[Diana]

Forest Cathedral

When I peel off my mitten
and dip warm fingers
in the frosty snow
to touch my forehead
it's not because I worship these trees
I'm setting foot inside a cathedral

Vastness of space
bare oaks and maples
tall and Gothic, arching overhead
Expansion of silence
snuffing out inner chatter
Statues of pines, pristine and poised
golden sun filtering long rays
through dappled stained-glass filaments
of fine-tipped branches
Masses of quaking aspen
a winged choir of song
holy water
dripping down my brow[/quote]