A to Z: Root Children

R for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

R is for The Root Children

In celebration of rhythm in every year.

Safe and sound,
the root children sleep their winter underground,
only to awaken to the sound of Spring.
With a candle in hand,
 their Spring mother rings,

the snow above ground is melting and the meadows are filling.
These children have work to do:
wash and brush,

fresh clothes to sew, and beetles and ladybirds to paint.

The sun is also busy above ground,
bring new leaves to the barren winter trees.
Dressing themselves as flowers and quickly climbing above ground,
the root-children spring.
As Mother Earth opens the door, they march out in procession.

They play in fields and ponds,
whimsical creatures flutter above.
These days are free and full of dance,

but when Autumn comes
and a sharp wind begins to blow the leaves down,
the root-children must hurry home to bed.
Old Man Winter is near so Mother Earth stands by the door,
greeting and hugging the root-children
one by one as they scurry to their beds,
nestling into a deep winter's sleep.

A century old story, timeless and rare,
in celebration of Earth's cycle.
The Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers