[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text]
Our ever lovely and devoted Sydney has agreed to take on the role as Farm Manager for exactly 12 months while she awaits the her next exciting chapter. While she was previously one of our Agriculture Interns, she came to us through local friends. We are so unbelievably happy to have her for as long as we can. We wanted to share this poem she wrote with everyone. Please enjoy how she has somehow managed to dictate how many of us feel about Goldberry Woods in such a beautiful way.
A Trip to Goldberry Woods
This is where I come to quench my thirst for fresh air and sunshine
Where the river runs thick at the edge of fallen trees
And a tank draws from the rivers murky depths
Irrigation lines snake through the property behind it
Mischievously withholding water as they so desire
The plants they tend to spring towards the open sky
When the hose unkinks enough to provide a drink
—
This is where I come to grow stronger
Releasing tension while sprouting countless freckles
Where Dahlia’s lounge along their support netting
Delicate stems extended like a princess’s gloved hand
And tomatoes stand proud amongst brittle posts
Which crack whenever the drill drives in a new screw
Melons fight for their lives in the back
Never satisfied, they change locations every year
Strange beings lurk amongst their mix
Including buzz button flowers that make my tongue tingle
And malabar leaves that are larger than my head
Which is quite an accomplishment on their part
And nasturtium, which made my friends grimace
After I had declared that they weren’t that spicy
—
This is where I come to nourish my soul
To feel satisfied in the act of existing
Where young quail that we hatched ourselves call from the summer meadow
And chickens screech from their coop
Deep in the midst of an egg-laying competition
If you listen closely you can hear Bombadil’s collar chiming in the distant
Soon to be followed by the sight of his red tail weaving through the vegetables
And when you enter the Haberichter’s house you are greeted by a small cat
Quite fittingly named Mini, she releases tiny squeaks
While her brother Fluffy devours everything in sight, including the compost
—
This is where I come to relieve unnecessary, negative sensations
Because while I’m laughing on back of a rumbling tractor,
I can’t hear those pestering questions pertaining to my future
Sharing the seat as we struggle to turn the contraption around,
I don’t feel alone
Cranking the handle of a honey extractor,
I only smell how sweet the air is when surrounded by greenery
Eating Julie’s delicious concoctions,
The uneasy taste in my mouth that says I’m not enough melts away
While encompassed by the gnarly branches of the orchard trees,
My anxiety has no way to reach me
—
This is where I am only ever who I was meant to be
A version of myself without reserve
It’s here that I am one with the plants
Which gently shake their leaves at me in the breeze
And it’s here that the task list is endless and another hand could always be used
But your heart is always full
This is where I go to heal, at a place called Goldberry Woods
~Sydney Moore
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
