Poems by Belinda Stotler

Come, walk with me into the forest's blessed abode,
To see the wondrous beauty the Earth has bestowed;
We'll bask in the surreal splendor that surrounds us,
And listen to nature composing the forest's grand opus,
As sounds of whispering trees and burbling streams,
Send our minds wandering into a poet's lovely dreams.

We'll walk where sunlight sets the forest's leaves aglow,
Weaving open paths to dapple golden light on all below;
Where trees shade us from summer heat and harsh rays,
Freeing our minds so we can see Mother Nature's ways,
Of creating nurturing sanctuaries for life dwelling there,
To shield its tender wards from storms too hard to bear.

Come sit beneath the glowing embers of an autumn tree,
Whose rich hues are a natural wonder many come to see,
While colorful leaves glide down in a whirling course,
Like embers breaking loose from their flaming source.
Glowing for a moment as if falling to their ending fate,
Instead, nourishing Earth for rebirth into a new state.

The wintering forest seems to be a still, desolate place.
Yet, under the snow and autumn leaves of a tree's base,
Beats the promising pulse of new life that patiently waits
For spring's warmth and rain to open wide nature's gates;
Roam with me under the trees standing strong over it all,
To watch them quietly sleep until nature's beckoning call.

Let us stroll in spring's forest where we will reap
The joy of Earth awakening its children from sleep,
And hear life's chorus and watch its offspring grow,
As waking trees renew their canopy over all below;
Come share with me the forest's spirit at rebirth,
So we too are reborn within this temple of Earth.

Every now and then let us answer the forest's call,
To come see life's beauty and the miracle of it all;
If we listen with our hearts as we walk among trees,
We may understand the message carried on a breeze,
For us to blend with the forest's spirit so it will beguile
Us into walking under its lovely trees for just a while.

The wind whispers to the waiting trees,
A special summons to rouse their spirit;
Strumming their branches with a breeze,
And swirling the leaves to add some merit,
As the wind composes a bewitching song,
That makes us happy the wind came along.

The wind's breath lifts birds on silent wings,
High above the treetops and hills with ease,
And when they hear the song the wind sings,
They alight to rest among the rustling trees,
Where they must satisfy their longing desire,
To add their lovely voices to the wind's choir.

The wind coaxes the green grasses to sway,
And stirs wild flowers into a rhythmic dance;
As if answering the wind's call to come play,
They offer soft murmurs that surely enhance,
The joyful chorus of the wind's beautiful song,
That grows more enchanting as it goes along.

Over the deep oceans of lore the wind blew,
Seeking more sounds from the sweet Earth,
So it whipped up the waters of the ocean blue,
Creating thunderous crescendos of great worth,
That perfectly blends into the wind's grand opus,
Which awakens and inspires a spirit within us.

Over the mountain peaks the cool wind blows,
Traversing with forlorn hope over lonely terrain,
Through rocky crevices and snowy trees it flows,
Creating a haunting and eerie wailing refrain,
That adds a bit of sorrow to the wind's song,
Touching the hearts of all as it travels along.

Sometimes the wind grows in howling anger,
Gathering dark clouds with thundering sounds,
Warning all with lightning of growing danger,
To all the human edifices and life it surrounds,
Compelling us to listen to its meaningful song,
That humbles and reminds us where we belong.

The wind's song was born when the Earth began,
Caressing its many splendors and various terrains,
As it played nature's instruments long before man,
Creating a continuous song of wondrous refrains,
That bewitches and humbles as it journeys along,
Until finally the Earth is no more and ends its song.

One morning under a clear blue sky day,
There was a crisp November chill in the air,
As the sun shone down in a brilliant golden ray,
Upon all the sweet flowers and people gathered there.

The fall leaves gently rustling with the breeze,
Whispered soft sounds that soothed the soul.
Birds flew on silent wing amongst the trees,
Singing sweet melodious songs as if to console.

Although it was a day that was heaven sent,
It was tinged with a sadness few want to face,
For beneath the beautiful sunny sky was a green tent,
Sheltering a flower-draped coffin at its resting place.

Inside a beloved sister now silent, cold and still,
Lying in eternal slumber over her waiting grave,
As loved ones gathered to witness God's will,
And to speak kindly of the warmth that she gave.

The priest spoke verses well used over many years,
Assuring all she is with those who've gone before;
As loved ones tried to see through blinding tears,
And offer prayers for a new soul on a distant shore.

A loving sister spoke of her good and kind heart,
And of the care given when loved ones were sick or sad.
She talked of friendship and of bonds there from the start,
And of a warm generous soul for which she was glad.

With a final loving glance and nothing more to say,
She was laid to rest beneath the green sod with care,
As the sun shone down in a brilliant golden ray,
Upon all the sweet flowers and angels gathered there.