An Autumn Pondering

They lay where they fell, spine cracked wood,
snatched from their roots yet lying on the ground which once fed them.
Separated logs, twigs, branches, brushed aside and hidden by the lofty trees which remain swishing their still-leaved branches, a little too haughtily.
Mourning or with relief? The fate is not yet theirs.
Allowing the wind to jet-stream through the whisper of greens and faded yellows turning gold and red.

The dying of autumn leaves flutter down like confetti at a wedding where the bride and groom have long since departed.
Soon they will be carpets strewn by nature over the dead,
hiding what has been lost, grave clothes which will also fade and die.

The Cycle of life and death leaves behind a part of nature that will rot and crumble its way into the earth that bore them, enlivened and sustained them.

Here, in the stillness of the forest, Dying and death, so natural here in the grove, is never Natures final answer. The fallen wood brings hope of life for others. Quiet movement announces that the tenants of the Forest,
are  seeking shelter from the coming tendrils of frosty winter.
They creep into the open veins of broken wood – insects, over-wintering spiders, slugs and beetles already yawning, awaiting hibernation.
Late-skipping squirrels pause to rest on upturned benches made by the forest debris, wondering where they buried their winter food.
Woodland creatures;  birds, rabbits and foxes; bats, worms burrow deeply, nesting bees, beetles and woodlice, millipedes, even snakes, all gather as Nature holds out a welcome to the Winter hotel.
So many of nature’s guests book their wintry yet warm rooms, each finding peace and safety and food according to need and station.
Rain falls onto wood opening up pools of refreshment in the crevices or intertwine of branches, as fungi steadies itself for growth and roots give up the water so necessary for life.

In Nature nothing is wasted.
Nothing is left over, abandoned, discarded.
All are part of the creative cycle of life to which we all belong.
Only God our Creator is eternally whole and holds everything in love according to His Divine Plan.

Mr G. October 12th 2024

For more information about the importance of dead wood
see the presentation under ‘Deadwood’ on the Woodland Trust site.

Hatfield Forest is under the care of the National Trust.