Dreaming the World

A fine early September day. We had a goodly dew overnight so the grass is wet, green, and lush. Jennie says that this morning’s dawn chorus was rowdy; without my hearing aids I could not hear it, but I am glad the birds were up and singing.

The days are cool and sunny, the nights chilly. When the sun goes down the air cools quickly. Still, the night insects sing cheerily and with gusto, lulling us into a deep slumber. Down at the beach the crows have taken advantage of the off-season rates for rooms with views, and moved into the osprey nest.

A couple of evenings ago we picnicked at the river where there is an intimate park nestled against the marshes. We have not visited much this season although its a place we cherish. We had just arrived when a kingfisher powered past, followed by a great blue heron. After dinner, I was wandering the banks taking photos when my camera battery lost charge. I usually have a spare (I try to check the charge before I leave the house) but alas, no spare. Then the heron returned with their mate and for a few moments treated us to a majestic areal courtship display. I have never seen one in real time, and we were both enraptured.

For whatever reason, even though I have had less caffeine than usual, I feel wired. The workings of caffeine and the body remain an enigma to me.

I’ve been reading William Stafford’s poetry. I did not know that he was Native and a conscientious objector who served prison time. Much of his poetry focuses on nature and the Native experience, which he connects through the culture’s brute attacks on both. He was an early modernist and his direct, observational style was widely influential.

Reading Stafford reminded me of Thomas King, especially The Inconvenient Indian, which is a history of Native and European interaction in the Americas. (King also writes hysterically funny novels although I am not sure how well the Native humour translates.) In these times of historical erasure, King and Stafford insist we acknowledge that the behaviour of the current government is not an aberration, but rather very consistent with Europeans policy and word view from first contact.

They also remind us that words are power. I wonder how many times we suggested to our kids, “Use your words.” In epochs of erasure, words are often an early target. So here are some words we need to remember and use: sociopathy, racism, slavery, genocide, climate change, ecosystem, inequality, nature, extinction, poverty, homophobia, erasure, misogyny, terror, denial, greed, creativity, joy, empathy, humour, playfulness, generosity, compassion, and beauty.

I’m sure there are more. Do you have words to add to the list?

The Way It Is

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

by William Stafford

From Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems. Graywolf Press (January 7, 2014)