In posting all the poems written on retreat, I can see my progress of relaxing and coming back to myself. In this poem, I even show up by name. There is a reason sauna have been around for centuries. Enjoy the poem.
Wood-Fired Sauna on Retreat
Wood warmth
A bit of morning light
laced with sweet smoke
Sweet cleansing sweat
Dry calm
Squeeze of steam
Heat without panic of sun
Woodpecker adds rhythm
Vibration to my smoke
Curling up
Rising up
Lifting any remaining worries away
Imbuing me with slow steady energy
of trees,
powerful energy of fire
and what I bring,
the energy of dawn
in all forms
Dawn.