Unclothed

I noticed that proud oak tree
and marveled at how long
it had stood there reverently.

Offering shade

to you
to me

and then came a gentle breeze.

stirring the branches
the leaves appeared to dance
then the shedding began
they fell so easily
as I watched in a trance

I marveled at how long
they held on tight
through the varied storms of life

Like shedding an old skin
it reminded me of life
death and rebirth
. . . come Spring.

I too was shedding
a part of me
old dogmas removed

thoughts
rearranged
changed

into
I am
thinking

while drinking
from this cup of eternity.

Like that tree in Winter
I felt naked at first
but soon realized that I
needed to be unclothed

like David
and the Emperor
I had to be unbound
to know the truth

free from the lies
that strangled me
that made me a lesser me
and almost mangled me.

Soon, I was comfortable
wearing the cloth of

humanity
humility
eternally

yes, a better me, evolved
no clothes, necessary
only love be donned.

© Janet Caldwell October 05, 2012