Acknowledgments to Anna Akhmatova's "a land, not mine, still"
These woods, not ever mine, though
in my memory
the sound of wind through evergreen boughs and sun dappled leaves, is soft and soothing.
We can no longer walk where spruce needles lend their oils to forest air, bright and warm and smelling of comfort, like the teas we drink in evening time. Still, the Sun disappears off the ravaged coastline, blackening fallen branches, grasping toward diminishing light, like hope.
Dusk, in the devastated woods, weak pulsed, still pulses amidst the ruin-- life, living, alive-- yet I, somehow, cannot recall how to feel it. I wonder who of our friends remain, but silent, as if those I do not see are holding their collective breath, waiting for the morning to exhale, all lit, with birdsong.
Jill M. MacCormack
Written Oct 3rd, 2022 after looking at the utter devastation Hurricane Fiona has wrought on one of our many favourite walking trails. Seeing so many downed woodland trees as part of a process of that may aid regeneration is potentially helpful but challenging for the tiny squint of time-scape my human eyes are attuned to.
My heart is with all Islanders suffering nature grief in the astonishing aftermath of Fiona.
My heart, broken into ten thousand pieces over a shocking personal death the day after the storm, is also with all who have suffered the loss of a loved one during this most unimaginable time. Great difficulty and loss compounded by great difficulty and loss. My mother's only sister, my dear aunt, was a bright light in this world. Truly, to love is the only way to stumble through our days.
Thank goodness for the incredible kindness of others far and near; for the tremendous generosity of spirit and nearly impossible work ethic of so many demonstrated during these bleak days of early autumn on our little Island in the Sea. When we lean into compassionate responses, we elevate goodness in the world.
Always, always there is much to be grateful for.
Thanks for reading.
Wishing you abundant wellness
as well as space for your sadness
and a measure of lightness to your difficulty.
xo
Jill
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