Hints of Gladness: Ancient White Oak

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world 
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,”
they say, “and you, too, have come
into the world to do this, to go easy,
to be filled with light, and to shine.” - Mary Oliver

On the way back from Monticello, we had a meeting with an "Ent".  In today's world of so many screens and so much busy, I find the I have to work harder at refueling the wonder-meter.   This White Oak was majestic and when I told my son that it took root more than 200 years before Jefferson was even born, well I think we were utterly enchanted.