Lichen on the Log

Landscape of life
drawn out on a piece of dried parchment,
cut and crackled from living and time,
with torn edges still waving
like the ruffles in a dancer’s skirt –
in full motion.

Worn roadmap of gold and orange
covered with secret writing between crevices of darkness:
A face with a smile?
A cross of redemption?
A star of hope?

Sudden turns, cut off trails;
tightly clinging to a tree log
like to an old companion after a long journey
in the shadows of a forest
sharing each other’s stories
of life –
lichen on the log.

 — Sinikka Smothers