David Wagoner was born in Massillon, Ohio, in 1926.
The poet David Whyte explains that Wagoner’s poem is based on advice given to young Native Americans by their elders should they become lost in the forest. The first line is ‘Stand still,’ and the last; ‘The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you.’ There is a lot of stuff in between these two lines — I am sure you’ll have no trouble working out the meanings. Enjoy.
Lost
by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.