12 x 24 inches, oil/wax on canvas, 2005
Giclees available upon request.

Winter Dream

My energy has drained 
back down to my roots.
My branches have 
released its leaves.

I stand bare
in a winter’s scape
enveloped in frost air.

Slowly, my self retreats
relaxes, drifts into blissful sleep.
Slowly, the outside world falls away.

No longer do I see
naked branches
gray skies above 
brown grass below. 

I sleep, I dream.
My heart sees 
a lively meadow 
rich in greens and yellows.

Trees in full dress
sway to birds’ song.
Earth in perfect harmony, 
Love abounds. 
White skies lit by sun’s glow. 
Peace among all creatures.

Slowly, my energy 
returns to my branches.
Slowly, my leaves bud.
I awaken.

But my heart yearns 
for the dream
to continue.

– Shelley Lowell

24 x 48 inches, oil/wax on canvas, 2005
Private Collection. Giclees available upon request.

The Sentry

This is my terrain.
Standing watch. 
Earth’s guardian, 
keeper, protector.
Day into night
night into day
always.

Trees nearest 
miles away.
But I am not alone.

Winds whisper
massaging my body.
Birds coo
nesting in my leaves.
Animals chatter 
gather beneath my limbs.

That is not all.
Trees past
Trees present
Trees distant
worlds beyond
visit through thought 
through visions.

Trees nearest
miles away.
But I am not alone.

Physical space 
is only one place. 
We are together 
multiple levels.
There is more 
then what is seen.

I am a lone tree.
But I am not alone. 

– Shelley Lowell

20 x 40 inches, oil/wax on canvas, 2005
Giclees available upon request.

The Relationship

The tree stood
alone
on the hilltop
each leaf still
reaching for the sky
loving the light

A breeze came
He caressed
each leaf
each limb
The tree swayed
They danced together

The tree
enchanted
by the breeze
grew to love
his gentleness

The breeze grew stronger
The tree began to bend
not really noticing
the change

The breeze grew stronger
He became a relentless wind
The tree cried out
 “Stop 
stop 
stop you’re hurting me!”

The wind did not heed her
He continued his steady gale
So happy was he
So in love with this 
beautiful bending tree

For the tree
light turned
to darkness

She bent
and bent
and bent even more
Then she cracked
She pulled herself
roots and all
out of her earthbound home

20 x 40 inches, oil/wax on canvas, 2005
Giclees available upon request.

Visit

When the moon 
is full and high
Earth blanketed 
with white,
we visit,
survey and reminisce.

This was our valley.
Here, we bloomed, grew,
bore children.
Bushes danced with us. 
Ponds swelled
prideful of 
fish harbored.

Fragments of our beauty
stand where we stood.
Cold air blows
Bushes dance no more.
Ponds lie lifeless.
We are not there.

This is our valley.
When life returns
sun is high
warm breeze blows.
We will return.
Here, we bloom and grow 
again.

Until then, we visit
survey and reminisce 
with sorrow and hope.
This is our valley
beauty restored
warmth in our hearts.

– Shelley Lowell