'Do not fear my daughter,
you seek to aspire to climb the trees of life
and of knowledge.

Instead simply stand,
sit,

see what has fallen away,
and what has landed in your lap,
which you shall recognise
for being yours.

Perhaps you might imagine it
as you and the world
sitting in a circle,
sharing a meal.

Each of you holding
the taonga of his own heart,
and offering it to his neighbour.'

Ana Lisa de Jong
Living Tree Poetry
March 2021