The Acorn and the Oak

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OH TO BE LIKE AN OAK TREE

Stepping out into a broader space
Leaving behind the familiar comforts of the rut
But, there I held sway, I was the master

Predictable, easy, except for the slow withering of my soul
Did my tricks to get my treats
But the former was confining and I had out grown it

Like a plant in too small a pot
Roots bound, tangled, seeking new earth
But to step out is to become weak again, to let go, to become a child

There was a brief thrill in the stepping out
Really it was a small thing made large by ego’s fear
But there was really no power there

Like a spider’s web it clung inciting primal fear
No power at all to resist a decision
But now the familiar is no more

Where once I was large now I am small, ignorant, and inexperienced once more
Planted in new ground hoping for the water and the warmth and the worms to do their work
The plane is large, expansive, might I grow to fill that new empty space

But the great Oak lives inside the tiny, shiny acorn
Food for squirrels or master of the Woodland
I am the Sower and I am the seed
It is not the breaking through that is the challenge

It is sitting still long enough to put down roots and grow in the new larger place

There are multiple buts in this process

But either way.  Be Groovy! 

35 thoughts on “The Acorn and the Oak”

  4. I’m a dreaming. I hear a voice, and there is a sense of deflation. Or perhaps finding that everyday, and everything is at once, a beginning, a middle, and an end, whence it then turns again to planting new seeds, being that acorn, but sometimes with the memory of having been a great oak. For a moment we forget we are incarnate, and feel the exultation of the fact that we are part of the chain. The pull of a heavy heart can be contagious, yet, the sounds of that laugh at the end, the one when you realize, silly boy, you’ve been here before, and will again, and instead of being tossed about by the constant motion, hold steadfast to the hub, and feel your roots, which have always been there, and will continue to be there.

    I awake, and see… Be Groovy, and smile.

    • Hey sweet friend. The laughter is the foundation of me. Joy always comes to sit with me when im still. And we laugh. Even when its just us out there in the new broad expanse. 🙂 kisses and hugs

  5. “I used to have lots of answers. 🙂 Now just looking for better questions.”

    It is such a stress release when we can mature to the point where we only need questions, not answers. Rilke said we need to learn to LIVE in the questions themselves. People who can do that are usually the ones who are still full of wonder. Morning, dude. <3

  6. In the past I struggled with anxiety and trees were and still are symbols of peace for me. Be like a tree, is a calming mantra for me.

  8. “Planted in new ground hoping for the water and the warmth and the worms to do their work…” Word! 🙂 That line says so much. We crave the water and the warmth, but the hardships and “worms” of life play a part in our growth as well. Very deep. Very groovy!

  11. “But the great Oak lives inside the tiny, shiny acorn
    Food for squirrels or master of the Woodland
    I am the Sower and I am the seed
    It is not the breaking through that is the challenge
    It is sitting still long enough to put down roots and grow in the new larger place…”

    Sometimes when I listen to or read your stuff I feel like I’m in the presence of a Zen master. There is so much “both” in this piece. Food or Master — Sower and Seed — breaking or sitting… It is such a theme in so much of what you write. There is enough there to keep me pondering on for days without really realizing what you’re work is doing is trying to make one sit still.

    “Predictable, easy, except for the slow withering of my soul…”

    That line made my heart hurt. I can so identify with it. You were very brave this past weekend, love. I’ve no doubt that you will turn into a mighty oak…

    • I just thought that the mighty oak just stayed focused on doing its thing long enough to grow that big. Bigness was not its goal but rather just doing its thing. I delight in your words. Thank you.

      • Yes, I think you’re right. But then you are always reminding me of that. Just be still…It’s another theme of yours. Your words are like walking in a cool spattering rain. I can find that special space between them the same as I can between the raindrops.Both — the drops can feel like a cold bite when they hit, but then trail softly along cheeks and arms when they finish their journey. Your words are like that, too. YOU are a delight.

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