Poetry in Motion
The treehouse
My treehouse is built in an apple tree.
Birds sit on the roof and sing in glee.
It is a happy place to be.
Sometimes I sit there for hours and hours,
Making a chain of daisy flowers.
When autumn comes the cold winds blow,
Telling me that they bring snow.
Then over the hayfields, home I run,
Through the daisies and the setting sun.
–Jan 27, 1976
This is a poem I wrote when I was 12 years old. I love that 12-year-old. She was a dreamy, imaginative little girl. And guess what? I still am. That part of me never grew up and I’m glad.
That dreamy place is home. The treehouse that I dream of is where I would sleep at night; where I could go for comfort when feeling lost or frustrated. It is where I can go when I feel happy too. It is always there. Sometimes though, I forget… until I see a sunset like you see in the picture above.
Sitting with possibilities
This picture takes me away. There is an incredible sense of movement in this sky — a surrender to connection. It makes me feel that when and where heaven and earth meet anything is possible. Anything.
I was out walking the other day and my mathematical brain kicked in — a rarity for me. I found myself pondering that where heaven and earth meet, is where we stand. And from the vantage point of where we are standing we are in the centre of a circle — always. Think about it. We are the seed.
The best part about believing that anything is possible, is not having to prove or understand any of it. Just sitting with the possibilities is enough for me. My imagination runs wild and I am quite happy to oblige.
That day I also found myself thinking that I don’t always have to have everything I dream about. What a relief. Dreams not tainted with expectation or possible disappointment.
With no attachment to the dream the possibilities expand the experience. The circle grows. I felt how this tempts us to wander outside of what we know and dream about what could be.
The dream continues to grow and evolve as we do… uncaptured. It’s like appreciating the rainbow without having to own it or control it. Just being with it while knowing that it is not forever. But also knowing that there will be another.
Some dreams I am content to hold in my imagination; to be content to just visit them… or let them visit me.
To build a treehouse and sleep in it overnight has been a dream of mine for over 30 years. I suspect that if I had built that treehouse over 30 years ago, I would have enjoyed it, yes. But that time would have passed. The tree house would have become weathered and after all this time it may no longer exist.
But living with the possibility of this dream still gives me the thrill I imagine I would have while climbing up that ladder for the first time. I can have this every time I think about it. It never grows old, like a poem… it is timeless. Telling a story, bringing light. Always with rhythm and in motion.
This concept excites me. What about you?
Is there a dream that you could have but are content to keep dreaming about?
Photo credit: Xanetia
Evita
Hilary
Joy
Linda
Megan "JoyGirl!" ...
Patricia
Tess The Bold Life
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{ 16 comments }
That concept definitely excites me too. Really great post! I got so much out of reading it that I went back and re-read it. :)
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..happy anniversary, positively present! =-.
While living with one’s head constantly in the clouds might not be a wise way to go through the day, if you don’t visit on occasion then you’re following somebody else’s path. The problem with demanding proof about something new, undone or a dream is that if proof is available there’s a good chance it’s somebody else’s dream. I got a lot out of your thoughts. Thank you.
.-= Fred H Schlegel´s last blog ..It Is Summer, So Maybe It’s The Heat And Not Faulty Marketers =-.
This post was beautiful … and full enough that, like PP, I am going to want to re-read it … and then re-read it again.
When I was a little girl, it was my dream to have a tree house up in the great heights of a tree. The idea of sleeping in its arms with my eyes open to the sky above me was my idea of magical. But it was not to be. I never had a tree house, but I did climb trees as often as I could.
Thank you for reminding me of this today and for sharing your thoughts on dreams and the liminal place where heaven & earth meet. That place is mystery and magic, even if we don’t always see it.
Peace to you today, Davina. xo
.-= Chania Girl´s last blog ..Measuring Up =-.
My dream would be a boat and/or a pool. However, that would be very selfish of me since Karen is not a water person.
Maybe someday.
.-= Mike Goad´s last blog ..Laurel Falls =-.
Hi Davina – A dream doesn’t have to come to fruition to expand our horizons, yes!! As a matter of fact, with intention often comes a different manifestation of what we inherently wished for in our dreaming. Awesome post!
.-= Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..LESSONS FROM THE ROAD: IT’S ALL GOOD, EH =-.
Thanks Davina, I can always count on a different kind of inspiration when I come here. It’s softer, slower and more reflective than I’m used to and I know it’s good for me.
The photo moved me as well. I love standing on my deck waiting for fast approaching storm clouds to drench me with their energy.
As for your dreaming without realizing idea – sure I put those in the possible fantasy category and just play with the what if of them. It’s nice to know what you think you could do if you really wanted to.
.-= Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last blog ..Why Rock The Boat? =-.
Another beautiful piece, Davina. I’m enjoying the place you’re in right now.
I’ve had some secret – and some not so secret – dreams since I was a wee girl. When I look back, I’m stunned by how many have already come true; many came true while I wasn’t looking, wasn’t expecting them to or even wanting them to. That’s why I’m careful now to write specific wish lists if it’s a dream with goals and emotions attached. The other dreams, the deep secret powerful ones that only skies like that one in the photo know about and understand, they’re secrets between me and the universe. I can sit silently under skies like those, or on a shore, and know that the glow inside me isn’t just because of a dream I’m keeping warm; it’s because the universe is good at listening, good at whispering “If it’s meant, it’ll happen…trust me and let go…”
Children seem to understand that when they say things with with total confidence like “I’m going to be a writer someday and live in a wooden house with a porch and a black and white dog and call my daughter Jody. Parents smile, often with sadness inside when kids share their boldest dreams, but the universe – or Spirit – listens.
.-= janice´s last blog ..Attacking Anchors in the Attic =-.
Davina, you set imagination free … makes me want to just day dream today about everything under the sun.
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Enrich Your Life – Part 1 =-.
Hi Dani.
Thank you. “I got so much out of reading it that I went back and re-read it” *smile*.
Hi Fred.
Verry interesting points you’ve made. You’re making me think… real deep too. Thanks :-)
Hi Chania.
Climbing trees is great isn’t it? And you said the “magic word”… MAGIC. It would be sweet to sleep in a tree house. And it could STILL happen one day couldn’t it? Sweet possibility.
Hi Mike.
You can be a little selfish sometimes. Karen might get caught up in your dream and be right there by your side.
Hi Betsy.
Thanks! And this is a brilliant statement my friend: “…with intention often comes a different manifestation of what we inherently wished for in our dreaming.” AMEN!
Hi Tom.
Ah, sigh… “I love standing on my deck waiting for fast approaching storm clouds to drench me with their energy.” Okay… see me there… I’m standing right there beside you watching those storm clouds. Aren’t storms the best? So invigorating.
Yes, the fantasy itself is a catalyst that can spark something else in a person. And “marinating” with the fantasy that hasn’t manifested (yet) doesn’t lend a hand to feeling deprived of it. Perhaps the time is just not right. Cause I know if I had a backyard AND a tree, AND the materials AND made the time… I’d be building a tree house and sleeping in it.
Hi Janice.
This is a wonderful passage you have written: “I can sit silently under skies like those, or on a shore, and know that the glow inside me isn’t just because of a dream I’m keeping warm; it’s because the universe is good at listening, good at whispering “If it’s meant, it’ll happen…trust me and let go…” That is neat isn’t when those dreams come true when you’re not looking? More magic.
Hi Avani.
Let’s take a magic carpet ride together… shall we? :-) The sky’s the limit.
Oh a beautiful post and discovery here – Thank you for sharing and putting it down for all of us to enjoy and dream about.
I dreamed and dreamed of seeing Scotland and I did see it, but not like my dreaming thought I would. Now I know exactly what I need to do when I return – where to go – how to do it….I know I will return Dreams manifest in their own way.
I am still thinking about your poem and words. When I was writing a post for the bikingarchitect, I came across a house that was built into a tree and a rock wall as a permanent structure for adults…I will see if I can manifest that image again. It was about very small houses and houses on wheels I think…portable houses – dreams fulfilled
.-= patricia´s last blog ..Just Three Things for a Friday Post =-.
Great article, but again, I don’t think I think as much as you hehehe. Maybe that’s because I’m a guy, I dunno.
Well I always have dreamed of owning a vacation house in Hawaii, I don’t think I’ll be contempt with it just being a dream, I really want it lol.
.-= John Hoff – WpBlogHost´s last blog ..A-List Bloggers & Everyday Bloggers, They Do Things Differently =-.
How timely your post is for me today. I do have dreams…and lately, I am holding on to them with too much care and expectations. I am getting down on myself and thinking that I can’t do what I dream to. Your post today makes me realize that I need to let the dream go. Like a balloon…to float off into the sky. Perhaps the balloon with land and I will find it…and perhaps it will pop. Either way…it’s time to let and let God…
.-= Caroline´s last blog ..True words of wisdom… =-.
Hi Patricia.
You’re welcome. It’s true what you say… dreams manifest in their own way. No matter how much we “dream”, things emerge through our process of doing. I bet after having been to Scotland, your “new” dream to return is MUCH larger than the original one.
Hi John.
You just think about different things than I do. Bigger and better things. Send me a postcard from Hawaii, will ya ;-)
Hi Caroline.
I understand… and love your analogy of setting the balloon free. I wonder where it will land… and what ELSE it will see along the way ;-)
Hi Davina .. I loved your poem .. so descriptive and so apt. I never had a tree house and always wanted one .. but we were always in the trees scrabbling up and down .. my favourite was a silver birch .. I’d get to the top and sway in the wind .. it was just releasing. We used to climb apple trees – topick the fruit and store it – so we had fruits over winter .. and lots of other trees at home.
Your sky picture is lovely – but a bit rough to be in a tree: secure in a tree house maybe. The thought of your being at the place where the sky and earth meet is interesting .. like finding the end of the rainbow.
Interesting points and a lovely post ..
Thank you – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Has the earth’s mantle turned into a bed of ants? Cobblers talk Cobblers. A toddler and his floating car … =-.
Mostly nights I lay away in bed visualizing some the things I want in life. From the very simple to the more complex. Imagining and visualizing can take me far away from the present and where my physical body is right now. Of course, I really want these things, but visualizing it is the first step.
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Being here now =-.
Hi Hilary.
Climbing a tree and swaying in the wind is loads of fun. It was, as you say… releasing. Especially for kids to do this — it was a big deal to climb a tree when we were little. Quite an accomplishment.
Hi Carla.
I agree that visualizing is the first step to creating what we want. It helps us to tap into that emotional hook that gives us the desire to seek out what we want. It’s like that visual becomes a magnet and you start to see more because of it.
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