The wood echoed with the laughter of a woodpecker,

finely tuned wrens and a black cap called high above my head,

light refracted on the unfurling leaves,

around me a sea of blue.

---

Silently, softly treading as if in a church,

Feeling the power of love enfolding my heart,

I sank into the beauty as it overwhelmed the sadness,

the fear of you.

---

A tree creeper scrambled upwards delighting my eyes,

Was this the sacred space that God intended?

A place of worship to a creator?

Beech trees for a cross?

Bluebells carpeting the road to Emmaus?

Wild Garlic for the bread of your presence?

Their scents as incense?

---

My breathing slowed and seated I bowed,

and prayed for this holy space and all

the chapels with branches stretched over,

with a choir of small birds,

to be a sanctuary

and left to flourish.