we cling to ourselves
(a)mending all our invitations
with threads that must be pulled
in just the right way
we disguise our own
houses as fortresses–
foundations sunk deep
into the growth of the economy
we arrange nature
to reflect order, not chaos,
not seeds strewn on the wind–
we kill the intruders,
the unwanted, unexpected,
the exceptional,
with chemicals and pruning
we have forgotten
awe, the strangeness
of wonder, of what
we did not know
to look for
we’ve forgotten to be
curious, to open
the door, to enter
into dialogue with
forces we cannot control
we no longer know how
to return what is given
with care and kindness–
to celebrate the earth,
to leave room for her
to sing her own song
Merril’s photo of the turtle she moved off the road on one of her walks provided the inspiration for both my art and my poem. Turtles are symbols for Mother Earth in many cultures, and are said to carry the world on their backs.
They could use some help right now with the load we have given them. For the earthweal challenge culture and nature.
Nina and I both love turtles and have posted about them on memadtwo many times. You can see some of the posts here.
K. 
This is very poignant and insightful, Kerfe.
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Thanks Robbie.
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The image looks excellent. Like a plate in a museum
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Thanks. It’s interesting how the shell pattern translated into the art. Asian influenced I think.
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Mother Earth definitely needs some help right now, as do turtles. I saw another one today, but this one was safely in the park on the grass. Your art does look like a plate, but to me, it also looks like part of a Chinese screen.
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Seeing a turtle is good luck you know!
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I did not know that! Well, I’ve seen three in the last few weeks. . . Hmm. . .and three is a special number, too, I suppose.
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Perhaps the Oracle will have something to say about it…
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She usually does.
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Oh, I love this poem, it’s so right. That sense of curiosity has gone. Even a flower poking up in the wrong flower bed sends some people for the weed killer.
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That painting is cool. I’m going to paint the design on a rock (if that’s ok with you). N.
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Thanks Jane. The madness of the American lawn is something I’ve never understood. It’s a competition for a strange idea of perfection..
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It’s everywhere. Let no daisy disturb the green, no grass blade rise higher than two centimetres, let no shrub be planted that was not selected by a top gardening catalogue…
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So perfectly well said. I read an article years ago which said something like, If we can retain from childhood our sense of awe – that feeling of breath taken by beauty or wonder – then we could remain open to learning and curious about the world. (the painting is beautiful too)
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Thanks Lindi. That’s so true. I know I have fears now that never existed in my childhood. Those fears definitely put up barriers.
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Your painting looks like living organs of mystical creatures.
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Thanks Jade. It was based on the turtle shell in Merrill’s photo. They are always beautiful.
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Just perfect, what you’ve done here.
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Thanks Claudia. Turtles!
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I have seen only one this spring, and no snappers. Not that they are not around, I have just not encountered one yet. There is still time…!)
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We saw a sea turtle at the beach last year. But I have never seen one in a city park, although I bet they are there.
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I feel sure. I find it hard to see them unless they are out in the open which they usually are not. I do like seeing them sunning themselves on rocks in the creek.
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We do need to reclaim wonder…..there is so much beauty all around, when we take the time to see it……..I especially love your closing stanza, leaving room for earth to sing her own song – such a beautiful one.
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Thanks Sherry. Humans have difficulty leaving room for others, even other humans.
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Resonating with every line in this wonderful poem. I love it!
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Thanks Betty!
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Wow K, that poem has so much depth in it. Very cleverly done and beautifully written
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Thanks Jude. Nature, as usual, provides inspiration.
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My pleasure
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let us not forget to be curious! Beautiful poem and image xxx
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Beautiful art and poetry, a perfect match.
JIM
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Thanks Jim.
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Knowing what you’ve forgotten–and how–leaves room for a grand remembering. Perhaps it will be a new faith/religion. I saw the cause you isolate as “we arrange nature
to reflect order, not chaos” and think about a fear that reestablishing a relationship with earth will have to address. A poem to share widely!
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Thanks Susan. Too many walls.
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Too often ignored, that song begs hearing.
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Yes it does.
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