III: Springtime Under the Basswood Tree

III: Springtime Under the Basswood Tree

A massive, magical basswood tree
basks in the serenity of its own clearing.

The branches of the basswood
reach out like an extrovert, then reconsider –
drooping down towards the ground
creating a protective canopy, a fortress
a room, a tomb, a womb, a space
for silence, a place for peace
to grow and live within.

Fragrant branches offer no fruit as food
instead, create a haven of serenity
for humans to feast upon, underneath
all is calm and peace and quiet and
there is something about this space
that makes me think of retreat, or escape
or sanctuary or hideaway. I would love
to nap here underneath, if could

and sleep and sleep and slip between
this world, and the realm of a sweet
deep basswood canopy dream.

From "If We Were All Rivers" by Andrea Thompson
Commissioned by Urbanvessel for riverMOUTH