Shush of Sylvanus

“ The Shush of Sylvanus”

The forest was thick with morning mist.

I inhaled waves of fragrant air suffused

With the flavor of new earth forming,

Buried beneath the browning leaves and shed bark

That blanketed the timberland floor. 

Layers of turkey tails clung to the tree trunks,

Like the living wings of “Falling Water”

Tethered to the rocks of Bear Run,

Collecting and diverting beads of dew 

To the honeycombed morchella below,

Clustered within the embrace of gnarly roots

Mimicking the whimsical chimneys of Gaudi.

I reclined on a blanket of pincushion moss

Gazing skyward at the sparkling sunlight

As it shimmered through the dancing leaves,

Like the reflections of bright moonbeams 

On the surface of a breeze blown lake.

A heady gust of anxious air hastened 

The abscission of leaves to the forest floor,

Flinging tree nuts in a momentary hailstorm,

Hurtling them hard against the aerial roots, 

Their hollow reports a muster call

To the forest’s army of nervous squirrels.

One by one they gathered sweet nature’s gifts

As Sylvanus blew a protective breath,

Now just a tranquil rustle of the canopy,

An affectionate shush to be still and silent, 

To gaze upon the wonder of the woods

To enjoy the charity of the trees,

To nestle in the forests pacific gestures,

And absorb the subtle whispers of its patience.

"Shush of Sylvanus" was created with wet molded leather finished with transparent and pearlized airbrushed acrylics. The vintage 1950's wire leaf and walnut frame is made from copper which has also been highlighted with airbrushed acrylics. The sterling silver "eyes" are vintage jewelry findings.