Love this post, and beautiful photo. You express so beautifully what your experience is just now and it really resonated with me. Finding ways to be with the reality of Gaza, climate change and all the ills that beset us. Be in the garden, chop vegetables, make meals, gaze in wonder at the wildlife, the water, feel the breeze when it visits briefly. So we stay grounded and hopeful that at least in the UK more and more voices are raised re the genocide. Who knows we may even be successful in our challenge to stop the government defining protests about Gaza as terrorist activity! One of the most heinous misuses of power that I can barely believe happening in our 'democracy' . I'm off to collect unripe apples that have fallen to make way for others on the same stem have room to grow. Isn't nature wonderful!
Fiona, thank you for commenting and I’m glad you too find solace in the other-than-human world – sometimes it’s all that gives me hope, despite what we’re doing. However, and I’m sure it’s the same for you, the levels of human destruction hover always at the edges. On my Fb page this morning I posted Michael Rosen’s open letter to the government (yes, our so-called democracy) about protest, if you haven’t already see it. Do you think we might yet turn the tide? Rx
Thanks. I have just read it. He highlighted the absurdity of who do you send to prison with a law like this. So important to know that many are writing to the government about this madness. Also the complicity of all the vested interests that keep the war going in Gaza. Xx
This. Always and every day these words of yours rattle through my too hot head, as I try to balance the hellish ignorance and hatred that spreads, it seems, unaided and ever nearer. How hard it is to stand up against it, helpless except on a personal level, not to fold in the face of it while the planet burns and shrivels. Searching for shade, for green, for springs that feed the drying lavoirs. But stand I will, I must. I know Gaia will ultimately prevail.
Ah Pauline. We must not give up. Yes, our hope now is in Gaia. I love your line about searching for springs that feed the drying lavoirs. Poignant. Heartbreaking. Essential.
Thank you for commenting. I hope things are easier for you now than they were in early summer. Rx
There is not one word of these thoughts and poems that isn’t already settled under my skin Roselle - beautifully and fearfully.
I hope you’ve woken to cooler air xx
How kind of you, Susie. And I meant to comment on your last post - how wonderful that Rosie whisked you away. You so needed a holiday! Rx
It was nothing short of amazing Roselle, ignoring the flying part of course! xx
So pleased! Rx
Love this post, and beautiful photo. You express so beautifully what your experience is just now and it really resonated with me. Finding ways to be with the reality of Gaza, climate change and all the ills that beset us. Be in the garden, chop vegetables, make meals, gaze in wonder at the wildlife, the water, feel the breeze when it visits briefly. So we stay grounded and hopeful that at least in the UK more and more voices are raised re the genocide. Who knows we may even be successful in our challenge to stop the government defining protests about Gaza as terrorist activity! One of the most heinous misuses of power that I can barely believe happening in our 'democracy' . I'm off to collect unripe apples that have fallen to make way for others on the same stem have room to grow. Isn't nature wonderful!
Fiona, thank you for commenting and I’m glad you too find solace in the other-than-human world – sometimes it’s all that gives me hope, despite what we’re doing. However, and I’m sure it’s the same for you, the levels of human destruction hover always at the edges. On my Fb page this morning I posted Michael Rosen’s open letter to the government (yes, our so-called democracy) about protest, if you haven’t already see it. Do you think we might yet turn the tide? Rx
Thanks. I have just read it. He highlighted the absurdity of who do you send to prison with a law like this. So important to know that many are writing to the government about this madness. Also the complicity of all the vested interests that keep the war going in Gaza. Xx
Yes, only this!
Thank you for the insight your poetry shares again and again in our world. Oh, and congrats with the cookery book, can’t wait! x
Ah dear Chris thank you - kind comment. Been thinking about you - will email soon. Rx
These are so immersive -- I'm there with the images and the senses x
Jan, thank you – and for taking the time when you are in transit. I hope this week goes well. Rx
“What right do we have not to be happy here
with everything we need: shelter, food and water,
not to mention absence of war, and too
friendship, meaning, love?”
This. Always and every day these words of yours rattle through my too hot head, as I try to balance the hellish ignorance and hatred that spreads, it seems, unaided and ever nearer. How hard it is to stand up against it, helpless except on a personal level, not to fold in the face of it while the planet burns and shrivels. Searching for shade, for green, for springs that feed the drying lavoirs. But stand I will, I must. I know Gaia will ultimately prevail.
Ah Pauline. We must not give up. Yes, our hope now is in Gaia. I love your line about searching for springs that feed the drying lavoirs. Poignant. Heartbreaking. Essential.
Thank you for commenting. I hope things are easier for you now than they were in early summer. Rx