I call the birch the poppy tree
\nDisturb ground and it arrives
\nits like a new beginning
\nAnd from such thoughts survives
\nAs The phantom of the forest
\nIts soulful silvery gaze
\nUnder a moon of yellow
\nIts countenance does raise<\/p>\n
A ladder to the stars for some
\nThe maypole at Beltaine
\nCarved runes in Scandinavia
\nBark scraping not in vain
\nWill catch a spark And light a fire
\nAnd feel the cockels set
\nThe first letter of oghams
\nTransformed and clearly met<\/p>\n
It has a female quality
\nA gentleness abroad
\nAnd magic from its papery skin
\nA message will afford
\nUse charcoal as an instrument
\nA keep safe your reward
\nOften several wispy poles
\nLeap together to the sky
\nLike dancing maidens full of spirit
\nThe fly agaric sigh
\nOften seen around the birch
\nA peasant tree thats why<\/p>\n
Its month begins on 24th
\nOf December
\nThrough to the 20 of January
\nOf the following year
\nJust above the winter solstice
\nA healing that feels clear
\nIt offers purification
\nAnd like a pheasant does endear<\/p>\n
Along with the elder
\nIt decks its boughs
\nWith leaves its twigs remain
\nSupple less than hardened
\nA willow refrain
\nGoddess trees these ladies
\nCatch the wind and dance and sway
\nIn early march
\nA cut
\nA tap and sup the
\nHealing spray<\/p>\n
A birch stick when one leads a cow
\nFertile she will be
\nCalm of spirit warm of heart
\nAnd joyful beside thee
\nA forest full of birches
\nPromise bird song all the way
\nGood for making besoms
\nAnd where faeiries love to play<\/p>\n
In the autumn birch leaves
\nSing with colour
\nAn enchanting hue
\nThin leaved deciduous hardwoods
\nThat love sunlight
\nShade wont do
\nThe bark is often eaten
\nBy deer and rabbits they
\nGet nutrition from it
\nAnd Moose too so they say<\/p>\n
Their roots are very shallow
\nIts important therefore to
\nRealise they will destroy a drive
\nAnd ofcourse that will not do
\nBirch bark soaked in water
\nMakes a cast for broken bones
\nIts wood is good for fence posts
\nBed frames and veneers
\nAlso very good for doors
\nA Close grained and satiny texture
\nGood For Polished floors<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I call the birch the poppy tree Disturb ground and it arrives its like a new beginning And from such thoughts survives As The phantom of the forest Its soulful silvery gaze Under a moon of yellow Its countenance does … Continue reading