I see on the news so much
destruction in the world. How odd it is people can't be friendly! These conflicts occur at every level of human civilization;
within and between families, tribes, localities, nations, races, and
practically every stratum of mortal life. Other animals get along
better. Zebras don't fight each other. Bees cooperate. Dolphins love
one another in the big oceans.
Recently, I have trekked with friends up in the
mountains that rise above Santa Fe. The elevation rises to about
13,000 feet (3960 meters). As the seasons
change, so does the landscape. This time of year, our summits have broad swaths of
aspen trees that turn a brilliant golden yellow. An entire mountain
side can suddenly turn from green to gold. The display lasts a couple
weeks and attracts crowds of hikers who amble underneath the gold.
Above all is the bluest of blue skies.
Aspen spread roots in the earth and
from the roots arise other trees, called clones. The root system is a
colony and can live for tens of thousands of years. One tree dies while another
is born. Individuals live 40 – 150 years. Aspen support various
animal and insect life. I find great peace among them.
![]() |
"Joy of Autumn" 24x36 inches, oil on linen |
Imagine that human beings all spring
from the same root. We are made of the same substance, feed from the same earth and metabolize
together in the same way, using the sun as our source of generation
along with the elements. We stand side by side, and grow together under the same great
cosmos. Why do we turn against one another? There is something to
learn from the simple aspen tree.
No comments:
Post a Comment