True North

Pictured: moss nearly equally on either side of a tree in the forest. By the way, the barely prominent, moss-covered side is facing east.

Since youth
I’d heard it said
That moss only grows
—or grows mostly--
on the northern side of a tree.
One theory being that moss grows on the shadiest part of the tree
But that theory falls flat,
for in the deepest hollows of Painted Post,
the directions of the compass share the dark in equal amounts.

Perhaps then, finding north by moss-covered bark isn’t meant literally,
not some directional certainty,
But a metaphor for something more.
Something deeper.
More about finding one’s path--
Not quitting,

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Something of a dilemma in finding north if relying on this young hemlock, or maybe, your path's options remain open?

Be that northerly or not.
With one's heart carrying the true compass.
And should the next mossy tree say north lie in yet another direction
Believe it.
And continue on.

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