Tanka Prose: Between Tree and Sky

The Hermitage

a young fir tree growing on a mossy mound

If your mind is not clear, you must ask a tree or the sky to help you. Then the tree or the sky will give you a good answer ~ Zen Master Seung Sahn

a woman meditating on a bench in the forest with a border collie resting on the ground beside her

Storm Kathleen has rolled through the area, bringing heavy rain and leaving the river Braan in spate. The sound of water cascading over stone is invigorating, the sight of small rainbows in the spray a joy to behold.

Spring grass and young trees are growing between moss and rocks. Birds sing their stories into each moment.

Nineteen months have passed since we last visited The Hermitage. Part of me feels as if we never left, as its magic continues to travel with me.

I make a bee-line for a small clearing between the taller trees, delighted to see the wooden bench is still there. My husband offers to hold my camera as I softly settle down, with Bria settling beside me.

gazing
at the crowns of Douglas fir
a mandala
of blue and green
in nature’s temple

© Xenia Tran

tall Douglas fir trees, seen from below
crowns of Douglas fir trees, seen from below

Wishing you all a blessed Sunday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Xenia and Bria xxx

Photograph of Bria and Xenia by Paul Tran, all other photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Becca’s Sunday Trees #529

Word of the Day Challenge: Play

Author: Tranature - quiet moments in nature

The stories, poems and photographs on Tranature are the original creative work of Xenia Tran, inspired by the natural surroundings of the Scottish Highlands.

37 thoughts on “Tanka Prose: Between Tree and Sky”

  4. In my enforced ennui and idleness I watched a little video of a Native American from Montana saying the same thing. Just go outside. Put your hand in the river or the ocean. Talk to a tree. His point is that we are human and of the Earth so there’s no better place to look when we need answers. In my experience, the questions pretty quickly disappear out there. Your photos are very beautiful as is your poem. ❤️🐾🐾 to you and Bria from us

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing this dear Martha 💚 Many ancient teachings and wisdoms point us towards our deep connection with earth, sea and sky. It is so lovely to be fully present when we feel these connections and yes, the questions quickly disappear too 😊 Wishing you a blessed rest of the day as well and much love back to you, Bear and Teddy from Bria and me 🐾❤🐾 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Anne, it is such a blissful place to be 💚 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Cathy and for walking along with us here too 🐾💚🐾 Wishing you a blessed week as well and much love back from our house to yours 🤗💕🐕 xxx

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  12. Forest Bathing A

    Wonderful Way to Become
    One With Nature Feeling Sensing

    Unity Of All That Is

    With SMiLes
    Dear Xenia So

    True A Walk on a Beach
    Will Do And When Poetry
    Becomes the Nature of Human

    Souls Altogether Free too With SMiLes Again

    Happy Week of Nature to You All Sky And Trees Together…

    Paw
    Prints
    And Wings
    Ascend Transcend
    Same With Nature Free..:)

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    1. Aww thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts dear Fred 💚 Wishing you and Katrina a happy week as well and much love back from our house to yours 🤗💖💫

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    1. Aww thank you so much for your kind words dear Julie 💚 Wishing you a blessed weekend as well and much love back from our house to yours 🐾❤🐾 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Denis, Paul did a great job taking the photo 😊📷

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