There is something sacred among the cottonwoods, pines and black locusts— a stillness echoing through the branches. Even the birds sit among the leaves in quiet reverie. Among the trees is sanctuary from a fractured world. An air of ease that stills the most restless spirits living in a world torn apart by hatred, greed and delusion. Where the different are shunned, children hunger, and ignorance wears a badge of honor. Walking along the paths the aged trees share stories and wisdom— a world long past. A world where life was once held sacred. And all life lived in contented balance. The trees usher me into their world. Their scent of sweet earthy decay invites calm. The leaves, stirred by wind, sing gentle harmony. They trust me, the trees. They hold me safe among their branches inviting me to stay. I whisper to them, “If I stay, who will share your stories? Who will carry your wisdom?” So I go— The trees hold my spirit. I carry their wisdom, rooted in my heart.
Matthew Griggs (he/him) is a poet whose work draws deeply from the natural world, where he finds a sense of belonging, reverence, and quiet transformation. Much of his poetry is written while walking prairie trails or sitting beneath trees, where moments of stillness open into reflection. His writing explores themes of solitude, healing, emotional honesty, and spiritual renewal, often rooted in the sacred relationship between self and landscape. Influenced by the lyric clarity of Mary Oliver and the contemplative wisdom of Buddhist teachings—particularly those of Thích Nhất Hạnh—his poems act as meditations on impermanence, interconnectedness, and the emotional weathering of the human spirit. His imagery is precise and grounded in the specific flora and fauna of the Midwest, inviting the reader into a space of mindful presence and shared vulnerability. For Matthew, poetry is not just an art form but a practice—a way of listening to silence, honoring emotion, and bridging the inner and outer worlds. His voice is both gentle and direct, rooted in lived experience and the longing to make peace with the self. He writes to reconnect with the earth, to witness the quiet offerings of nature, and to remind others (and himself) that beauty and belonging are still possible, even in times of personal or collective unrest.
