Sleeping in the Forest

Inspired by Mary Oliver's beloved poem, this captures that dreamy space between sleep and wakefulness where you're everything and nothing at once.

I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.

Mixed media shadowbox, 8"x12"x3", open edition, signed and dated.

By Lisa Swerling

Shipping time frames vary (typically 4–8 weeks). Please contact us for current availability. Custom commissions are available.