if a tree fits...

In the beginning (not THE beginning)
was the Earth,
a bit of earth actually.
Some farm.
A place,
an earthy place, some felt,
?not too shabby,? none felt
But, it was a place to start,
?Genesis??
a place to start stuff.

Actually the beginning was a seed,
was in a seed?
imagined, not imaginary?
no fairy tale beans for this place?
what grew had to be believable.

And so, a small kernel
of large imagination
was planted,
and though conditions not auditionned,
this seed, with strong ambition,
generated will to emerge.
It somehow survived.
(not nearly thriving)
In challenging soil, roots searching,
seek further, reach deeper, sustaining.
If struggling is strengthening,
this specimen: no wimp!

Tough roots exploring,
stubbornly gripping,
in ground near depleted,
not much left for a starward reach.
But,
meagre appearance belies
a nourishing network
taking hold,
developing unseen,
dark, and deep.

Patience.
No.
Prodding and pacing, anxious, not waiting,
more like pushing a river perceived as too slow.
Not quite patience, this pushing,
the seedling?s reluctance, its slowness to grow.
And then,
despair turned to praying, and ?patience? to prayer,
and these prayers, heard at last,
carried hopeless to hope.

It was the Trees that were listening, in silence responding.
Trees from the other side, with Grandfather leading,
crossing together, the Silver Lake road.
These giving tree neighbors, generous and selfless,
gave shelter,
a food place,
and time for the soil.

Limitations undone,
this sprout?s recovery was sprung,
unfolding,
fulfilling,
the seed that was holding
untold potential, and
songs to be sung?

It was the Trees?
giving trees?
emerging and healing, self-nourishing trees;
propagating and guiding, and learning, fulfilling.
These trees were commited to living for others, and
to giving their living, their shading for shelter;
these trees that were listening?

It is their turn now,
so, listen?
now?hear the trees?listen
to the trees?

from the GARDENER'S GUIDE TO LIFE

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

                                             ...William Shakespeare


The year's at the spring, and day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven; the hillside's dew-pearled:
The lark's on the wing; the snail's  on the thorn;
God's in His heaven - all's right with the world.
                                                       
                                                   ...Robert Browning

No garden is without weeds......Thomas Fuller


Weed your own garden first. ...... old saying

The Giving Tree - part 2

But the boy stayed away for a long time…and the tree was sad.

And then, one day the boy came back

and the tree shook with joy as she said, “Come, Boy,

climb up my trunk, and swing from my branches and be happy.”

“I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy. “I want a house to keep me warm,” he said. “I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?”

“I have no house,” said the tree, “the forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house.Then, you will be happy.”

And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house and the tree was happy.

But, the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak.

“Come , boy,” she whispered, “come and play.”

“I am too old and sad to play. “I want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?”

“Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away and be happy.”

And so the boy cut down her trunk…and made a boat and sailed away, and the tree was happy…but, not really.

After a long time, the boy came back again.

“I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you---My apples are gone.”

“My teeth are too weak for apples ,” said the boy.

“My branches are gpne,” said the tree. “you can not swing on them---

“I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.

“My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You can not climb---

“I am too tired to climb,” said the boy.

“ I am sorry,” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something…but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry….”

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy, “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired. “Well,” sid the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy sit down. Sit down and rest.”

And the boy did.

And the tree was happy.

The Giving Tree was written by Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree - part one

Once there was a tree…
and she loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would com
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from the branches and eat apples.
They would play hide-and-go-seek,
and when he was tired he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree…and the tree was happy.

But, time went by, and the boy grew older, and the tree was often alone.

Then one day the boy came to the tree, and the tree said, “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.”

“I am too big to climb and play,” said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?”

“I’m sorry,” said the tree, “but I have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city.
Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

And so the boy climbed up
the tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away and
the tree was happy.

Inch by Foot

Learning to live

at the edge where things happen,

a growing commitment...

an expansive arrangement,

where life is unfolding.

A place where edge is the center,

a growing edge space,

not too far,

or too little.



Like a new garden

emerging

that starts at a door...

a flourishing garden,

nourishing

growing…

edges expanding

by inches and feet as attention is paid,

a way toward fulfillment,

toward beauty and more.



Footsteps attending

seeds, timeless and patient,

good, generous soil, and

footprints on edges,

best fertilizer

of all.

Weeds - Tolerate This

But, but…what about President Obama and the creeping evils of socialism, you say…Do you mean like National Parks, Social Security? Civil Rights? Medicare?... Such sinful government intrusions should never have been accepted…The richest, most powerful country in history can only tolerate so much. Now some are saying a single-payer socialist approach to health care is desirable. How much socialism do they think we can take? Although they are not usually known for tolerance, Conservatives have been demonstrating a remarkable commitment to tolerate 40-50 million vulnerable citizens, unprotected by health insurance. Now that’s tolerance! As for balancing the President’s unacceptable budget, increasing taxes for the wealthiest seems like a good idea…one less camel for them to try to get through the eye of that Proverbial needle. When you have more than you ever imagined, way beyond what you’ve ever needed, and are still not satisfied, what will it take? How much is Enough…?

350 initiative

350 is about the living conditions our children and grandchildren will inherit from us. What will you say to them someday, if asked,


How did it…
Why did it…
What were you doing when it…
began to get so bad?

Too busy? “Better” things to do? Head in sand?

The 350 initiative is not a political movement, but it is intended to hold politicians, as well as ourselves, accountable. It can be seen as quite progressive in its concern, while being very conservative in its values. It is at the same time, both pro-life and pro-choice. It measures a threshold for existence, and it asks you to choose: Will you continue to be a part of the problem, or will you commit to help with finding solutions beginning Oct. 24. It is not hopeless…

From Mighty Acorns

From mighty acorns...
( When all you’ve ever wanted isn’t enough )
Get in touch with a tree, rooted strongly and Deep.

Inner tree to become you, nourished in Darkness

yet, always Light seeking, growing edge reaching.

Strong roots for support, to bring what is needed;

tough bark protecting a cross-section of growing,

each year adding strength as length reaches high.

Limbs branching, expressing fruits of sweet effort,

fruit ripe for sustaining, magic seeds to be sowing.

While leaves falling, replenish, becoming the earth

Mighty acorn…well cared for… now, glowing

in soil dark and deep, a tree showing …
now whole, and full growing
completely alive

Advice from a Tree

"Advice from a Tree" by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend, Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Reflect the light of your own true nature

Think long term.  Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

for each yields its own abundance

The energy and birth of spring

The growth and contentment of summer

The wisdom to let go, like leaves in the fall

The rest and quiet renewal of winter

Feel the wind and sun and delight in their presence

Look up at the moon that shines down upon you

and the mystery if the stars at night

Seek nourishment from the good things in life

Simple pleasures...earth...fresh air,...light

Be content with your natural beauty...Drink plenty of water

Let your limbs sway, and dance in the breezes

Be flexible...Remember your roots...Enjoy the view!

Weeds - Liberals and Justice for All

The labels come and go, but it is hard to argue with historical evidence indicating so-called progressive types are more highly evolved than the so-called conservative types. In the major socio-political conflicts of American history, liberals have consistently been on the side any reasonable citizen would now objectively consider the good or correct (and winning) side. It is clear from their shifting rhetoric that what conservatives seek to conserve is what liberals fought to create a generation before.

Starting with the War for Independence itself, conservatives have been reluctant to embrace the American version of human progress. Think about it: a Revolution against British injustice, a Civil War that ended the disgrace of slavery, a campaign for a woman’s right to vote, union activities to humanize workplace conditions, social security, civil rights (to vote, to busride, to work for the Brooklyn Dodgers), and now an absolutely vital regard for environmental protecting…all spearheaded by progressive “trouble-makers” seeking change, trying to give meaning to the ideal of “liberty and justice for all…”

But, what about Abraham Lincoln, you say… a Republican, you say…well, I say, look at the haircut… and then compare a map of the Confederacy, with a map of the 2008 national election results. Different sort of Republican…? Labels come and go…

Biosphere

The Bio-sphere is a delicate bubble surrounding a planet where existence, as we know it, is possible…It is a closed system of bio-logical cycles that have sustained life for millions of years. Anything that escapes nature’s capacity for re-cycling and re-processing is pollution, which as it accumulates within the closed system degrades the earth’s ability to sustain life.

Flowerworks

Come,
make time,
for a lily walk,
a flowerful stroll,
to celebrate a celebration.

A woman’s joy,
whole-hearted, attending beauty,
touches those witnessing such enjoyment.
A thousand blooms visiting so briefly
en-joy-ment’s intensified—Carpe diem—
that’s all they’re allowed.

Each day the flowerlover greets new arrivals.
Some perk as she nears.
(I swear)
“Look at this one.”
“That one!”
“Here.”
“Over there!”
“Didja see those?”
“These ‘popped’ this morning.”
Holding each gently, welcoming,
tenderly searching lilyfaces,
neglecting few.

“You have to see this one”

Or, (Monet would like this) you can sit.
There’re places for sitting, and having a view,
green grounds, enlightened, by colors around.
Sitting and seeing, not only the blues…
there’s peachy and rose-ish,
some reds as can be;
passionate purples, and some,
not quite white;
sunsetting oranges, elegant pinks, and
sunshining yellows, sunlit, and sun bright.

Not quite quiet fireworks,
blooms bursting in air,
a rainbow exploded,
flowerworks surround.

                                                                                                            

Weeds...Right Field

One good way to measure the quality of a person’s political team is to take a look at the character of the teammates he or she chooses to join. “Conservatives,” have good reason to be concerned despite a line-up that is a scary---Liar Limbaugh leading off, followed by Brainfree Beck, Hopeless Hannity, Brownie Boehner, Myth McConnell, HystEric Kantor…self-serving and divisive benders of truth, who, despite jargon to the contrary, refuse to play anything but right field. Weak hitting O'Reilly has been put on waivers for delusional behavior after posing as a centerfielder.  If should be noted that these carefulhaircutboys are also quite comfortable venturing into foul territory, while taking swings at anything fair...Darth Cheney still the manager…

On the bench they’ve got that old guy, the one who promoted the loud minor leaguer. He was a fair player in his prime, but his best days are behind him…Now he doesn’t even know how many homes or cars he owns…Sad…as are the confused and dazed cheerleaders, Backwards, Mad Dog, and Failin’. (You know… Bachman, Coulter, and the Twitter Quitter)
I’m sorry…forgive me…what a lineup…I know that sarcasm can be divisive…but, what a “team”… It is not really helpful, even though…right fielders-wrong fielders … it’s kinda fun. And if that... they love foul territory…makes me a hypocrite myself… well …please forgive…I know it’s not easy…embarrassing teammates…you can’t even trade ‘em…they’re in a minor league of their own…

350

The Internationl Day for Climate Action is scheduled for Oct. 24. The 350.org website is clear and offers concrete support for local response and participation,,,There is information, of course, but there is also an organizers toolbox that includes posters and a 9-step plan.


My personal intention is to spark awareness and motivate participation at SCCC. The fact that there is an open house is a complication, but also an opportunity for exposure. I am hopeful that the college response will take on a life of is own...some form of attention- getting "event" at the college to kick off an attention-getting procession down to the square in Newton. A conscience-raising event is being organized to take place there on the 24th. We are seeking support for those preparations and to get LOTS of feet in the street.

thank you for interest and support

environment

Slowly…painfully…
Concern for “the environment” is growing.
Gradually…with difficulty…
Some are even beginning to understand that
“the environment” is not maple trees, or migrating geese or
some deer in a misty field at sunset.
Environment does not simply mean the natural world.
When they pave paradise to put up a parking lot,
the pavement does not replace the environment…
It becomes our environment

sustainability

Sustainability
is inevitable…The question is whether we transition by choice to lifestyles that are attractively sustaining, or will we be forced to accept a less appealing level of survival; a consequence of unsustainable consumption and irrational acceptance of pollution…