magnificent october trees

in memory of barbara

the planted tree

Once I had eyes only for wild life,
The plants that plant themselves,
The wild animals running free,
As if human cultivation devalues.

As if any true wild habitat exists here.
I live in a patchwork landscape
Developed and undeveloped land
Interlaced and commingled

There are wild animals here that thrive
Living in proximity to human communities,
Foraging where humans cultivate:
Deer, raccoons, possum, geese, pond turtles.

It is a seamless web of life
Like the way the wildflowers flourish
Along the roadside shoulder
Where construction bares the soil.

Now I appreciate the planted trees.
I see them everywhere I see people live.
I see the private yards with their special trees.
I see the public streets lined with rows upon row.

And all of it improves our environment.
And all of it creates a beauty in our lives.
I am learning their names like I know wildlife species:
Sycamores and planes, locusts and scholars, oak variations.

The town has planted a tree in my front yard this year.
I do not know its name. Perhaps an ash?
I will name it and care for it while I am here,
Such a simple way to contribute my part.

two turtles

the romantic outlook

Reading The Age of Wonder,
Surprised to learn how much was known 200 years ago,
More surprised by the shared outlook of science and poetry,
The shared romantic vision, a common sensibility.

This interests me, being a romantic,
No matter that the word may be used to discredit me,
As if it means foolish believer in nonsense,
As if sentiment must be rejected out of hand.

What does it mean to be a romantic?
It is so much bigger than a tendency to fall in love.
It is about feeling a connection with the universe,
A connection with all life, past, present and future.

The astronomer Herschel looked deep into space
Seeing nebulae as far off galaxies, seeing deep time there,
Seeing stars young and old and a dynamic of change,
Nothing like the clerical model of things.

The romantics advocated the scientific method to learn things,
To know the truth, to be set free of superstition.
The poets celebrated this unfolding liberation.
The scientists collaborated even as their nations went to war.

And as I think of what this movement became 100 years later
I think of the science of Marxism as the evolved sensibility
And the striving of Communist organizers to apply that science
Romantically singing the Internationale, “A better world’s in birth.”

So where are we today, another 100 years later?
We respond hopefully to one who promises change.
Science has brought us both wonderful things and horrible things.
There are songs of freedom, songs of struggle to be heard.

The schools still teach “creationism” against the science of evolution.
The world is more than ever divided into a few rich and many poor.
Our civilization destroys life forms and brings global warming.
And yet I’m an optimist. Yes, I’m a romantic.

seeing the trees in the forest

“Can’t see the forest for the trees…”
This cliché expression I’ve heard and used for many years
And yet today it seems so backwards
When applied to the actual forest I’ve seen my whole life.

I’ve always seen the forest. That’s a given.
It’s the many different species of trees that I missed.
Now I think about the importance of saying
“Can’t see the trees in the forest…”

Perhaps in part it is about seeing glimpses
The way we experience images passing by as we travel
Here one moment, gone the next
The details don’t register, just the outlines.

Sometimes it is a moment frozen in time
Like seeing the children in the midst of their game
An action snapshot touching on a memory
Voiceless except for the sounds we imagine.

Today hiking the woodland trail enjoying the great beauty
And enjoying my daughter delighting in the place
I heard a child’s voice in the group following us
Happy and excited to discover this path.

I like hearing that sound and my daughter, too.
We did not come here for solitude.
We came on a Sunday to embrace nature
In a way that is a very human sensibility.

My daughter goes ahead and then waits for me.
She finds a large rock to lie upon
Looking up at the tree canopy above.
When I catch up she is marveling at the sight.

Again she goes ahead then stops to look at a tree.
As I come up she shows me the backlighting on the branches.
She sees the feathery translucent image shimmering there
And I realize I am with someone who really sees the trees in the forest.

I am amazed the way she traverses the path looking up
While my eyes are so much trained to look down.
I wonder if this is a female way of looking
Since I am seeing double seeing my daughter see like this.

I was going to make this hike with my true love,
She who knows the trees so well.
It’s like she has come along with us in my daughter.
Another day we will walk this path the three of us.

mianus river gorge