~ It’s an odd feeling wanting to be understood in an intimate way but at the same time wanting the freedom of being a mystery. Thus, here you have my words, but not my face.

Dryad

A beautiful day greeted me as I emerged from the shadows and climbed the hill.

‘Beauty is all that this place is’ I thought as I gazed at my surroundings.

‘Could this finally be the place for me to place my roots?’

“Dear bird, how long will you follow me?” I said to the bluebird, my long-time companion.

Everywhere I go the bird follows me, from nesting in my hair to riding on my shoulder.

Forests abound below me and I wonder if I should plant myself amongst my fellow trees.

Grand as they are, I find myself doubting I’d get enough sun.

Had I a home once, in a lush valley, right by the river.

I was cut down, used for timber, and now this little sprig in a pot is all that is left of me.

Jutting out across the bay is a cliff with lush grass.

Keeping my pot close to my chest, I wonder how a tree would look planted there.

Leaving the hill, I head towards the town.

Men, women, and children walk by and wave as I go past.

Nobody seems unhappy here and the air is fresh.

On the sprawling boulevards, trees are planted periodically.

Pleasantries are exchanged between me and them; passersby look at me strangely.

Queries are made about where I intend to plant my roots.

Robins and jays and finches twitter excitedly; they know I will bear much fruit

Scenic as the town is, the concrete means there is not much space to take root

Time flies quickly and after exploring the land of the humans, I long to depart.

Up the cliff I go, my long, flowered hair blowing in the breeze

Verdant becomes my skin as I draw further and further away from the town.

Way out above the town, I dig a hole in the dark dirt and plant my tree.

Xylem within me absorb the ground’s nutrients as my human form fades into my main body

Years go by and I grow bountiful and proud, overlooking the sea.

Zephyrs come and go, but I am happy here.

This poem was written as a creative exercise where I wrote an alphabetical acrostic poem.