 New snow laying softly on the highest forest. Deep breaths to the moving tide. I embrace a depth of being impossible in the rushing city. There are paths here for me to tread. Paths that spiral, lined and deepened. Here the goddess treads openly. She moves through the grand trees rushing waters. Her passion spills forth in the heated springs. It is painted between the rocks and bees. She dances with me and I with her. There are lessons in the roots, shallow, lean and wide. Cedar and hemlocks tied together. Understanding comes from the return of life after fire. Waking visions waver in remaining smoke. The wild and its purest glory. Here for me to embrace, to savor, to wonder. Here for me to protect.