Claire's Corner: Erratic

Poetry from Claire Sylvan’s book, Turnings

Erratic

This giant rock calls me.
Birthed by a glacier from the womb of Earth,
It stands ancient and looming among the trees.

The forest yearns to enfold it,
Tossing quilt patches of moss and leaves,
Nursing spindly cedars and birches in its cracks,
Embracing with thirsty roots
All its craggy beauty.

Yet here it stands, rock-unto-itself,
Erratic.

I came upon this friend
In my own erratic childhood wanderings,
So young they all ran frantic from the house,
Calling and searching lake and forest,
And somehow I knew
To protect my refuge, get closer to home,
Before I turned myself in, and was “found”.

Here, the human noise falls away,
Disappears behind rustling aspens, voices of locals:
Jay, grumbling ravens, declaring squirrels,
And the long deep thrum of Earth herself.

Here, I can be still within the geographies
Of this rock,
And know myself as of the same earth born,
Breathing this same air, washed by the very rain
That nourishes us all.

Here, I know, in my heart and singing bones,
Have always known
That other people
Have earlier walked these leafy paths,
Have been wise and willing stewards of this land
Have known this place as sacred,
Deep and strong.

I dance with gratitude that I may share
The beauty and the power of this place,
And know its peace
And carry its teachings
In every step I walk
Upon this earth.

About Claire Sylvan

Born within earshot of the Atlantic, on the rugged westernmost coast of Cornwall, England, Claire has a deep affinity for rocks, water, and sacred places on earth.

Claire has lived, worked, and raised a family in Haliburton County amidst good kind friends for 35 years and 8 years in friendly Almonte. She and her partner, Bev, are known as "the Grannies" to an ever increasing population of wondrous children.