Eerie the wind between the worlds
As I hung on that nameless Tree;
Long had I heard its leaves whisper,
"Seeker, would you know more ?"

My heart´s desire dearly was won,
Not easy I gave what was asked:
Dreadful the price that I dared to pay
As I offered myself to myself.

Given, in mid-air uprooted I swung
Swayed by the whims of the wind;
Piercing through me the bitter spear,
More aching my will to grow wise.

No water they gave me; burning my thirst,
More burning for knowledge my need;
Hungry for bread, more craving my soul
To be sated with secrets of Life.

Searing the sun during the days,
Empty the endless nights;
Starless void devouring my self,
Last agony facing alone.

My mind meandered mystery mazes -
My flesh writhed tied to the Tree;
My soul grasped all the wisdom of ages -
My body bloodied the bark.

Yielding myself, I gained all I yearned for,
Dying, I danced into life;
Wounded I was - leechcraft I learned then:
Whole and hale I became.

With shattering shout that shook the realms
My fetters I burst and was free,
And through an abyss of rapture and bliss
Into Earth´s embrace I fell down.

I have ridden the Tree - I have made it my mount,
All riddles and runes I now sing.
And you who seek wisdom, will you dare the Tree
When it whispers, "Would you know more?"

© 2005 Michaela Macha

License: This poem may be freely distributed, provided it remains
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This work by Michaela Macha is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives License.

Artwork by Martina Pomoryn.