Once upon a time there was a mere twig of a girl sprouted from a long line of wandering vines. She longed to grow beyond the stony walls and picket fences which kept the vineyard contained. She shrank from the constant grafting and pruning intended to keep her malleable and productive yet tamed and restricted. Her mind’s wandering spirit took her outside the framework she had grown to distrust. So, as the rest coiled themselves deeper into the only reality they knew, she inched ever closer to the chink found in the mortar between the stones that lay heavy between her and the world outside. She knew it would mean leaving behind every sprig of identity she once held close yet, nothing could stop her as she coiled her way through the tiny fissure.

Beyond the wall lay fields and gardens and forests, tangled and sublime. Thus, began her journey; her growth to become sweet wine. She would offer her fruit to the forest floor, to the winged bird, to sun’s truth and she would never stop.

Rowena is a poet, artist and worshop facilitator living in Central Oregon.