How do I

not think

 

nature is

not thinking

 

nature is

doing,

doing what she’s always done

in a new, beautiful way

 

cycling through

green growth

flowering

burning

dying

 

will these things

help me

not think

 

if I can

I will dig my roots

in deep

like nature

 

if I can

I will drink

from spring showers

like nature

 

if I can

I will blossom

feed the world

with my bounty

like nature

 

if I can

I will burn

let my leaves change

color our world

like nature

 

if I can

I will let life fade

go within

draw deep into my roots

rest

 

until it’s time

to grow, expand again

like nature

 

if I could only

not think

 

I can be

like nature.

 

Cindy Hutchings’ first poetry chapbook, Tree Talk, was published by MoonPath Press. Her poetry is also shared in print with Espial 2012 and Gifts of the Great Spirit – Volume IV – Legends and online with Creative Colloquy, Quill & Parchment, and Whispers… She graduated from Green River Community College with an associate degree and High Honors, and from University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in English and Women Studies. There she was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa Society. Hutchings is a member of both Northwest Renaissance and Striped Water Poets, and she helps organize poetry events in her community. She writes passionately about current events, nature, and social causes.