i am an old growth forest
with leaves red as blood
undersides caked with black mold
the loamy earth
cannot contain my writhing roots
now exposed to shadows and gnawing
field mice–
–here in the shadows
you cannot see the sun
that crowns my head
old growth (20161101)
Words and Feathers 
The field mice give great perspective of the immensity and darkness; the personal pronoun (subject as persona) is brilliant.
Every now and then I feel like a tree. Thank you for your kind words.
Trees are awesome. I’ve been learning about forest bathing lately; in Japanese they call it 森林浴 shinrinyoku. I think of trees as old, loyal friends full of majestic silence and wise sounds.
What does forest bathing consist of? Is it a Shinto ritual?
No, it’s not really Shinto (as far as I know). Check it out: http://qz.com/804022/health-benefits-japanese-forest-bathing/
I’ve been trying it with some groves by the river (I live in BC and have no time to get out to any number of forests only 30 minutes away!)