Woods beckon,
come walk among the pine.
Steps slow, lighten, whisper quiet.
Meandering deep into the balm,
worries lessen, shedding stress
through leaf-canopied sieve
Shoulders relax. Breath softens.
Warm leaf-filtered sun
soothes like salve to wound.
Some call it forest bathing,
immersion in the ever green.
I call it serenity divine.
Photo: 100 years ago this large forest was planted in Tokyo with the idea of simply letting it grow naturally within the city. It was planted with the express purpose of later constructing a shrine within the woods, dedicated to the first emperor who, by action of the then shogun, transferred power from shogun to emperor, thus establishing a new type of government for Japan. It is truly a serene and beautiful place. Although much much newer than any of the other shrine and sacred places we’ve seen, I found this to be the most beautiful setting.
lillian the home poet 
I like divine serenity as well with the forest surrounding one.
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I felt being in a forest despite that fact I’m living in a desert region now.
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I love that “leaf-canopied sieve” – filtering out the stress. Lovely. I thinkyou capture the special nature of forests well here.
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So very nice!
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Peace! Words and picture envelope one in peace!
Sent from my iPhone
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I think we can call it what we like, but there is something special with a forest…
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A perceptual shift of getting a “green tan” in the forest is marvelous. Just as healing as the sun.
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