Banyon Tree

by Emma Freeman

As I was wandered by on that gloomy day

her ancient presence called out to me like a lighthouse

Walking underneath her magnificent cocooning body

wearing my heavy layers of loneliness

I immediately began to cry

In the silence between us

I told her I felt an aching emptiness deep inside me

like something was missing that I couldn’t put my finger on

As we breathed together

she said my soul was in desperate need of medicine

and the root structure that nourished it was being poisoned

without me realizing it

She said to prepare for a long road ahead

full of pain, destruction and confusion

but also wonder, mystery and awe

 beyond my wildest imagination 

And eventually,

she said I will wake up and feel those healed roots 

anchoring me to that unnamable place within

which will bring profound peace, clarity and meaning

So just hang on, she said

and try to notice the signs that are there for you to follow

because what you sense 

deep down

those whispers that I know you hear 

those are you, my dear

those are your light

your love

your power source 

that will guide you where you most need to go

You will need to befriend silence, stillness and solitude 

for this sacred journey 

It will feel like you are stumbling through darkness 

most of the time

losing touch with all that you think you are

but I ask that you trust 

trust that you are being led 

led back home 

to your most true and radiant self

buried deep down within…