rooted into the ground

Sequoia Hauck

What does it mean to be rooted into the
ground?
Cared for so deeply
Replenished, rewarded, reminded
To be watered
to be hugged
to be nurtured
to be loved.

I think of a time when I was a child
Walking through the forest
I have always felt the safest amongst the
trees.

Knowing that below are the roots
hugging at my feet
and the leaves sheltering my head.

I feel my roots growing
deeper into the soil,
Like my feet seeping down.

It not a scary feeling.
Not totally…
It's actually comforting.

What does it feel like to truly let your
feet sink into the soil?

I remember that my roots
HAVE run deep
I am not the only one to walk this path
and I will not be that last.
Generations before me have stood
where I stand
And many will stand after me.

And many stand with me now
I reach my hands out…

I search for their grasp
I want to know they are with me.

-
I lay looking up at the stars.
I have a realization that not everyone is
a skywatcher.

I see my ancestors up there,
Shining down on me.
The light within them recognizes the
light within me.


We pause knowing.


The space between us is where
I had to learn from
Because without those teachings
I couldn't have gotten to where I am
now.

What does it feel like to truly let your
feet sink into the soil?

My feet sink further down
My hand reaches out

The footsteps they have made will guide
me to where I need to go
Where should I go?
Where do I need to go?
No.

Where do I WANT to go?

I look up at the sky
And reach my hand out
Close my eyes

and I know.