Winds of Change

The trees
Bend, swirl
Flex and resist
They shed branches, needles
But still, they hold
Their ground
Roots planted deeply 
In Mother Earth
The once undisturbed
Blanket of white
Littered now with debris
Covers the tender soil
The moon watches over
From the west
As the layers of pink clouds
Resting in the eastern sky
Give notice 
Of the rising
Of the sun
The air is filled
With the howling of the wind
And the crying out of the trees
As they protest the assault
Gone is the peaceful
Muffle
Of a snow-covered world
Hold your ground
Soldiers of the woods
Shine your lights
Orbs of the sky
And wisdom
Please come to me
Come to us
Courage 
Please take up residence in me
Come into all of us
Instruct and inspire me 
As I dwell safely now
In my warm home
How might I resist?
How might I 
Protect the vulnerable
Defend our country
And stand tall
Like the lady
In New York Harbor?

Pat O’Connor
February 2025