R S V P
by Cathy Barker at Creative Arts Camp 2025
Here’s a Ponderosa Pine with twisty branches
that look like they are trying to spell out
a secret message
They’re pointing me to a close dead neighbor
But this deciduous survivor is not dead, No!
topped at 20 feet
trunk truncated
Surrounded by evergreens 5 times its size, some 10
But never mind that
She wears vigorous branches
halfway
like a tutu
A creature-carved gaping hole in this elder tree
could be a mouth open wide roaring
could just as easily be calling
WELCOME!
Bark jaw dropped, a drool of sap
full-throated invitation! Welcome!
A tree like this has a deep, resonant voice. Welcome!
In a higher voice the breeze echoes: Welcome!
and the River sings Well, Coooooooome!
Well, come to what?
My senses?
Come along on a Journey?
Come to Camp? – just that,
always tongue-tipped,
highest heartfelt invitation
Come…to Mimanagish.