into the woods

from security of suburbia,

from the warmth and comfort of convenience,

from the arms of love unfeigned 

and the company of unrivaled friendship. 

to the unknown realm of brush and mountain, 

to the unfamiliar sounds of fowl and beast.

to the wild world of fresh sky and pure air,

to the land of untamed spirit.

around the bend of life we go.

where trees teach of strength and fortitude, 

animals, great and small, renew the soul.

where the earth beneath warms and heals the heart

and the stars watch over in awe. 

where God's spirit is not maimed by judgement and strife

but where life gives way to life, 

where death gives way to growth 

and change is of timeless beauty.

to change, to hardship, to death, to life. 

may it be the breach and the balm of the soul.