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.