The moment when, after many years
Margaret Atwood, The Moment
of hard work and a long voyage
you stand in the centre of your room,
house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,
knowing at last how you got there,
and say, I own this,
is the same moment when the trees unloose
their soft arms from around you,
the birds take back their language,
the cliffs fissure and collapse,
the air moves back from you like a wave
and you can’t breathe.
No, they whisper. You own nothing.
You were a visitor, time after time
climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.
We never belonged to you.
You never found us.
It was always the other way round.
Like so many of my images, something called me to stop and press the shutter button. I pulled into the Running Deer Natural Area parking lot and took the image from there. I did not create any of the beauty in this scene, nature did and lovingly shares it with us. Our task is to accept the gift of its presence and beauty with grateful hearts! May we come to realize we belong in this world not as conquerors but as integral parts of it.
8 Comments
Joan Heiman
Yes! That’s the way of the heart, Monte. And the beauty of the Universe. (Not the way of entitled white men who think everything is here for them.)
Monte Stevens
Thanks Joan for commenting. And yes, the beauty in all of creation! I hope you are having a good day.
Earl
Beautiful photo, Monte. It’s nice to see a touch of snow still clinging to the distant mountain peaks.
The distinct horizontal layers elements add great depth and interest to the composition.
There’s so many problems associated with the human concept of ownership, when in reality, it’s a distraction from more important matters.
Monte Stevens
And ownership is all based on self and the power and control that has over others.
Tom Dills
Yeah, we just think we’re in charge. Ultimately we’re just along for the ride. So hang on and enjoy the view. And take a picture when you can! 🙂
Monte Stevens
Yes, what we think we think we know it’s not always so. It is taken me many years and a lot of pain and suffering to come to that understanding. And what can be more destructive is what we think we think we know about ourselves. It is a cool and rainy morning here. May you enjoy your day!
geri oster
Yes, Monte, you have given me the blessed gift of liberation in the simple phrase, “I don’t know”. Thank you. Love from the both of us. By the way, Nature with All of its Glory just blessed our parched earth here in Lander Valley with a rare and wonderful downpour amidst a most awesome thunderstorm. OH, GLORY INDEED!! Just try an’ own that anybody!!! And the best part, I got to get totally drenched in my cowboy hat and rain jacket as we haven’t had to put the downspouts down for so long, I forgot about them until the gusher hit. GLORIOUS, just like playing in the cloudbursts back on the farm. Thank you, Creator!
Monte Stevens
Again, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you got a snapshot of you drench in your hat and rain jacket. Those are special moments!! I hope you two are doing good and maybe get some more rain. They we could some again tonight.