Temple Of The Trees

Many moons spent we on the River Kwoai, paddling our crafted canoe with blisters on our hands that broke and bled.  Not once did we complain, nor did thoughts of ending this expedition come a’pass.  With solid conviction in our Breasts, carried on did we.  Hope held high, nothing could deter us in our Knowing that Mother would show us Her Secret Entrance to the Temple of Trees, to which no man’s eyes had ever seen.   We, chosen by our Elders after enduring Rites of Passages proving our worthiness, would not even dare to turn our canoe around.

Weary to the bone, without food or water for many a day, covered with inferno bites that swelled into welts causing us great agony, still we persevered, smearing ourselves with bear fat to deter those ferocious blood seeking pests.  Paddling in uniform silence we drew deeper and deeper into a thick lush canopy of leaves and trees, making every dip of our paddles echo so eerily. Close were we knew we. The birds had suddenly stopped singing.  Only Heavy Silence ensued wrapping itself insidiously in heavy thick tendrils around our bodies.

Rounding a bend in this great river, eyes red rimmed with exhaustion and heat, our Hearts flew to our throats, when together simultaneously our eyes rested upon the entrance of the Temple of the Trees.  Our Journey so long, so torturous had finally come to an end, as we slowly approached where Mother pointed.  She helped us steer our canoe to Her Shores, nodding Her Head oh so solemnly giving us permission to enter.  At long last, our Journey finished, stiffly arose we from out of our canoe, and with careful step, approached the Gate to the Temple of the Trees.

Becoming more aware of what our eyes did behold, stopping in our tracks did we, confused, for before us stood not one but two Gates to the Temple of the Trees.  Unsure of which one to enter, we waited for Mother to again give us a Sign.  Nothing. Waiting for hours, legs trembling with fatigue, our tongues dried out with thirst, with our minds becoming more difficult to keep still, we fought the fear that we had gone through this tortuous route only to be confounded.  Doubt began to weave it’s spell, and with every ounce of our remaining strength, we fought it off.  Without that guidance from Our Mother, we knew if we chose the wrong Gate, it would mean immediate death.  Waited did we.  The sun set.  Darkness fell.  And still no Sign. Still nothing.  Had we gone all this way for naught?  Our Hearts hammered in fright as we waited for the Sign, not knowing if it would come at all.  Faith won out.  And so Her Sign came.

Photography/ “Temple Of The Trees” 2015©AmyRose

[Photo of Como Park, NY]

I was nominated by Morgan to participate in the Five Photos Five Series Challenge. What is this Challenge you ask? Simple: You Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph that shares your insight or inspiration of/from the image. Then each day another blogger is nominated for the challenge. Since I do enjoy a challenge, I couldn’t resist.  I am nominating Dan.  This is day 2 of this challenge for me.