Octopus Tree
Reach this way, said the octopus tree, her clever arms thrust earth deep
as if she worked nets cast beneath us, gathering the intimate shining shadows
of what we gave up to fit in,
as if to show us reclamation is an act
far gentler than belief,
and what heals the soft mantle of this world
is not the rooting out of our own pieces,
but the tough joy of being found in that retrieval.
Tricia, this is holy writing. Beautiful imagery, simple and startling concrete language, not a single word misplaced or unnecessary. This — “Octopus Tree” — its form and its message — is everything I want in poetry, and in life. You are the tree, this teacher, this spirit, who helps us find ourselves again in reclaiming the “shadows of what we gave up to fit in.” Forever in awe of your work — this is my favorite piece of yours!
Naina, wow. Thank you. Wow, and thank you, again. Sending you so much love, fellow light writer. I am grateful that we inspire each other! ❤️❤️❤️