Prairiewoods is pleased to announce the release of a new book of poetry, Outstretched Boughs, that celebrates the spirituality of trees, especially those found on the 70 acres of land known as Prairiewoods. It was created in loving memory of Kathy Decker and Betty Daugherty, FSPA, and features original poetry and photography from more than 20 friends of Prairiewoods. We hope you’ll join us Oct. 4 for a St. Francis Day Celebration and book launch! Below is one poem from the book, written by Prairiewoods foundress Nancy Hoffman, FSPA.
Midwife to the Woods
Never a mother, but midwife to hundreds of pine, cedar, spruce, oak, maple, birch, ironwood. Always marveling at other midwives—like the squirrels and woodchucks who specialize in walnut, hickory and oaks.
Over the years this midwife birthing them from their pot wombs—placing little rooted feet into Prairiewoods soil and marveling over the miracle of life.
Fiercely protective—erecting fencing and providing a nice bed of chips for these little rooted feet.
Each week offering them water to provide loving care.
All summer watching nightly over their fragile lives. Getting to know each of their individual charms.
As winter approaches, putting them to bed with plenty of water and checking their fences while giving them an extra pat of love.
Come springtime, this midwife shrieked with delight as she witnessed the new buds of growth. Her heart cried when a little one showed it could not thrive. Always thanking it for blessing us with its short life.
Some of our babies grew quickly—some more slowly but all reaching upward to the glorious sun. Making friends with birds and squirrels and other trees, I’m told. Even as young trees, their little bodies at work as they learned the art of producing O2 and absorbing CO2. Not to mention always giving delight to the beholder of their beauty.
As a proud midwife, I often wondered if these young trees have any idea of how they would be when fully grown. Could they comprehend the potential of the magnificence they contained?
In some twenty-three-odd years, many of the early-birthed trees have far surpassed their midwife. Now she walks among them asking them to share their wisdom, their strength, their honor and their love. She and they have grown together in an inseparable bond forever.
—Nancy Hoffman, FSPA, Prairiewoods foundress, holistic services coordinator & outdoor/land management
(Photo by Amy Starr)