Trees Know the Business of Trees.

Trees know the business of trees,
Whether from the heights,
Or the lower keyes,
Whether east blows west,
And the south doth freeze,
Whether time stands still,
And the Grim Reaper’s cease,

Ash and Oak,
Moss and Fern,
Leaves on the floor,
And Roots form the burm,

Towering Whitewood,
Pines on the ridge,
In the tropics sprawl Banyans,
And in the deserts grow Figs.

Mango, Chestnut,
Teak and Bamboo,
Hawthorn, Maple,
Willow and Spruce,

Cedar, Walnut,
Aspen and Palm,
Poplar, Redwood,
Olive and Elm,

On the slopes of the Gods!
Beyond horizon’s thin veil!
To the world trees were given,
And for their Woodwives to care,

Tended, mended
By song and by mirth,
To the trees Woodwives are blended,
With their gowns made of earth,

A Woodwife guards,
She listens, she gleans,
Meets the needs of her forests,
No matter seed or seedling,

So trees do know the other business of trees,
Whether from the heights,
Or the lower keyes,
Whether east blows west,
And the south doth freeze,
Whether time stands still,
And the Grim Reaper’s cease,
But if not for the Woodwives,
Trees would never know ease.

Inkling #22:

What is the Seven Thunders?  It is Mave, Mabb, Mor, and Mürl — Woodwives all in now a turbulent world.  Where their forests do tremble and an eeriness falls.  For there is news from the Weathering, and not good news at all.