ALDER The tree of the now

Creation presents its realization
Its sum and its substance
Its perpetual relation
History really the bedrock of soul
The fundamentals that gave each their role
The essential nature
The enduring tree
The forest the grove
Where I to be

In the midst of this virtue
This genuine prize
Well grounded and tangible
Whose imaginary eyes
Are fixed on the magickal kingdom
Where we
Know many spirited people now be

Spring the great flourish the effusive light
That comes into our being
That broadens our sight
That concentrates colour
In our minds eye
Where the fourth tree of Ogham’s
Roots tend to lie

In the damp at the waters edge
Powerfully so
So many watery spirits they know
It reduces anxiety emotionally
A tree of protection
And fertility

It is known as the goddess tree
Resistant to rot
Used in the pilings of buildings a lot
On bridges and water wheels
Canal locks for they
Will remain in situ
Without any decay

In the battle of trees
She was on the front line
Warriors shields were the choice
As would be mine
When the wood’s cut it bleeds red
Similar too
Our bodies its blood
Has a similar hue

From its bark comes a wound wash
But time is loud
After Summer Solstice
There is a dark shroud
For Toxicity kicks in
And thus we must cease
Using its favours
To gain our release

Push out the pith
In the branches and we
Can make whistles and flutes
Very easily
EOstre the goddess of Spring
And of Dawn
Rabbits and painted eggs
So they were born

It just loves full sun
Where it dances and plays
It is the white goddess
In so many ways
Opens the veil to the spiritual
Realms
With its strength and its power
Its just overwhelms

TAliesen mentioned it long long ago
BRan carried its twigs
Its a tree we all know
Makes charcoal for gunpowder
Somewhatbif a jewel
Kills lice and scabies
but is useless for fuel

Its leaves are quite rounded
And sticky when young
Brought into old cottage
A use now unsung
Was to sprinkle wildly all over the floor
So insects would stick to them
So when swept out the door

That would be that no insects to see
All stuck on alder leaves
Outside you see
NAture is helpful
In so many ways
And knowing the trees
Is worthy of praise

The druids were up to it
And this old bard
Has on his robes
Trees they are starred
Allng with the insects
And creatures abroad
ALBUS GLUTINOSA the tree of accord

In irish tradition the first man was said
To be born from the alder
The first women instead
Of the alder twas the rowan
So now we all know
Thats where we came from
And just possibly we
should learn to identify
One urgently.

18/3 till 14/4