Trees of the Wood - These introductions are inspired by the

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Oak Warrior of Truth and Blade

Strong against the North Wind

of Battle, holding the line

A wren calls your ancient name

the echo in your acorns

the heft of centuries

in your limbs

Brigid's blessings

under your leaves

Mighty are the doorways

made of you

Lovely in her luster

wrapped in a soft brown shawl of wisdom

poems dance in her branches

plaited into her leaves

The Crane flies above her

calling for her second sight

Will it be a cold winter

Mother knows of course

Eat her mast to know for yourself

Mother likes the old ways

when proper respect was paid

when the land and sea and sky

held the people close

She misses the wors

the whispered blessings

yet the omens hint

perhaps the people awaken

Mother will be ready

In my red cap of berries

dark glas-grey-green my skin

starlings chatter at me

but I don't mind them

Misunderstood am I

Some think me ill fortune

Some find me festive

the old ones planted my children

near their doorways

adorned their midwinter halls

Leave me to my business

let the birds gossip

let the trees murmur

I care not for crowns or laurels

I am plain in my blood-red cap

Many a graveyard I guard

Keeping vigil, keeping watch

scores of swans have I seen

sibling of the silver Birch

once I was called

Favored, if notfavorable

for harm flows within me

Host for the Good Folk

red-speckled and wary

woe to the people unwise

to my ways, to my presence

Wild since yore 

In Glens and Glades

Bitter at first bite 

Temptation 

Is not my way

Is not a sin

My fruit takes work

Patiently passionate

Plucked after first frost 

Wild as the Good Folk

Favored in their feasts

Bounty of old Gods

No luscious liquid

No perfect flesh

My bite is bracing

Taste the Wild

Find the old Songs

In my pips

Within dark bark

Below roots woven

Beats Madame’s pulse

Fire of spirit

Magic of mind

Dryad to no one

What do you ask

of the wizened One

who waits in the dark

Her wick burns hot

alive, pulsing red

in Her shadow form

Please Her

you must

if boons you seek

Please Her not

and Her grin glows

with prickled delight