I am enclosed under a canopy of overhanging shade,
where majestic trees rustle in dappled sunlight.
I am surrounded by shapes, by twisted fronds
of birds’ nest ferns and leaf spikes that
thrust sharply upwards against the light.
A spring bubbles through cushions
of moss. Dark green waters trail
water lilies; water boatmen
judder across the surface
of the pond. Softness,
sharpness, textured
and structured,
mingle together,
cradling me in
the shelter
of their
arms.
Julia Duke