sunny quaking aspen
leaves,
nine for a friend.
i listened to this lecture this week:
(i sadly missed it "in person")
autumn cow pasture
about the honorable harvest.
it's happening here
i see amish neighbors
bringing in hay and corn using their big horses.
the gardens are mostly asleep
(you may remember what happened to mine)
but my friends are still eating
fall bounty.
my backyard and overgrown meadow
i am harvesting from my friends
the weeds,
and i find myself
doing what dr. kimmerer suggests:
introducing myself
asking to share
and sharing what i make
with others.
it's surprisingly comfortable, appropriate
to say
hello, please, and thankyou
to wild grapevine.
a few little grapes.
the medicines at your feet,
sumac, prunus, goldenrod, wild grape,
common weed plants.
and a few pieces of aluminum, copper, and
"hard" well water
an honorable harvest.
for beauty
and for the knowledge of books.
I've asked permission to take roots, plants, branches and even stones before doing so, and always say thank you. I was collecting mountain laurel branches with a friend once, and he was trying to dislodge a dead one that was part way fallen over. I suggested he ask permission, wait for the answer, and, if yes, pull. He thought I was crazy, but decided to ask, wait and when he magically felt a "yes", he pulled and the tree came out in an instant, throwing him to the ground. He was shocked.
ReplyDeleteGreat paper!
valerie, robin's lecture reminded me (as did her book) of the obligation we (plants and people) have to work together.
ReplyDeleteLovely colours from the sumac, mine looked wonderful when wet but not so good when the fabric was dry.
ReplyDeleteFrom the comments I think I must listen to the lecture.
Aah.. your colours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes speak to the sea and am often surprised at the bounty that washes up at my feet.
You aren't sleeping in your autumn, Velma.
ReplyDeleteI like your wild meadow garden. It's about all a garden needs to be.
Thank you for your tranquil post.
I've just finished re-reading "Braiding Sweetgrass", it is a wonderful reminder to honor all the earth's gifts. lovely prints.
ReplyDeletei like your 9 leaves
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put
ReplyDeleteHarvest for beauty, a necessity to our nourishment.
I love this post Velma!
ReplyDeletedebbie, these are dry and pressed. listen, indeed!
ReplyDeleterobyn, you may like what robin has to say...
faisal, it's wild all right! and wonderful. i have had sheep, horses, and gardens on this land.
jean, listen to her talk!!
jude, they're for you. and listen to th talk.
m, thank you
mc, thanks for letting me know.
What a lovely autumn and bountiful harvest. Whoever said it had to be edible.
ReplyDeletearija, my thoughts exactly!
ReplyDeleteHi Velma
ReplyDeletethank you so much for posting a link to Robin Wall Kimmerer's lecture. Her philosophy resonates so strongly with an Australian Indigenous world view (which I'm sure you realise from the time you spent here). Kind regards,
Jill
jill, i used braiding sweetgrass to pull readings from last year while teaching in oz. it was the perfect blend, australian summer and dr kimmerer!
ReplyDeleteyes I remember Velma. Beautiful. Now I must order that book!
ReplyDeletejill-i hope it's affordable, you can hear some of her talks online if you search her name...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ecoprints - just exquisite!
ReplyDeletesharmon, thanks very much.
ReplyDeleteI'm now waiting for braiding sweetgrass to arrive (good price at abebooks). In the meantime I'm reading wisdom sits in places. xxx
ReplyDeletejill, excellent! please tell me what you think of it.
ReplyDelete