When you burned, I burned with you
When you buried, I burned for you
In passion in flame in Holy name
I am Forest Father
The nature’s Pater
I burned for you
From ground to up above
Our essence of vapour and resin through the sky
To all sea, bird, creature and pebble nearby
As you changed to spirit on air
With wind and rain
I held our our branches to hold you again
On the arm of Grandfather Oak
Passed down to Mother Doe
To pine to ground
Gathered your spirit around
By branch and heather
In ash and soil in Gods own power to mycelium medicine
Within those resting hours
We hold you in woodland, nature’s roots
We carried you there to earth’s repair
We carried you over through the mighty air
Now sheltered with a canopy
Embedded to sacred ground
To oak, ash, yew and birch
Of Kin and Kith
Dwelling in arms of bark, heart of trunk
Of deer foot and bird above
Held by ivy
Entwined
With earth beneath you
Water to greet you
Wind to change you
Light to recreate you
Ancestors of root of seed and bud
Growing earthly
Living on
Forest of my blood, evergreen
Forest of Fatherhood
Janice Turner Salmon 