As a child, I loved the beach. I was soothed by the sound of waves lapping on the sand. I enjoyed the feeling of space, the muted colours, the horizon view, and the sea air.
Then, I moved to East Gippsland.
Now, you will find me longing to be among the trees, in the Australian bush and forest.
My heart lies in the forest.
As I gave birth to our third daughter, I visualised laying in a bed of moss on the forest floor, nestled between the roots of an old gum tree. I smelled the damp earth, heard the birds singing, and felt the dappled sunlight shining through the branches and dancing on my face and body.
This, is my forest.
Here, I am safely held by Mother Earth.
We vibrate at the same frequency.
The ocean is free. It is clean and pure. It is constantly moving and frolicks with reckless abandon. A nice space to visit and let go of woe, but not where I choose to dwell. In my heart, curled fern fronds hold me tight, simultaneously offering me love, strength, and comfort, while representing new growth. A continuation of self, expanding and thriving.
My heartbeat powers a stream that trickles over rocks and carries along fallen leaves, muddying the place where a stick stubbornly refuses to move, digging itself into the soil. Yet still, the stream trickles, dislodging it by an endless flow without urgency or defeat. It uses the collected leaves to gather and push the stick from its place, clearing the flow, and restoring perfect order to my heart forest.
There are neverending pockets of wonder, new life, beauty, and magic. The space communicates around me and with me, whispering secret affirmations of love.
Here, I am held by God.
The forest has given me fairy homes, platypus sightings, bark cubbies, blinking koalas, stargazing nights, spiders living in pieces of art, and trees displaying their own creations on the girth of their trunks. It has given me picnic days, goanna explorations, secret paths, rock climbs with breathtaking views, and a trillion different shades of green.
This is my love letter to the forest.
It is there where you will find my heart.
Love, Marley
P.S. My novella, You Are Viggy, was strongly inspired by my time living in small-town East Gippsland and exploring the surrounding bush and forest areas.
You can buy this book for less than $1 AUD or read it for free if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber.
My free novella, The Silver Maid, was set in the East Gippy town in which we used to live. I changed the name of the town (a bit) but if you're an Aussie, then I think you can work it out ;)
Happy reading! xx
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