Last week for Earth Day, I shared the following poem with my yoga classes. It is so beautiful. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. The poem was written by Chief Dan George. My favorite line below is the following, “And the life that never goes away.” I think of Toni and her light and her love that can never go away….and my heart soars!
My Heart SoarsThe beauty of the trees,the softness of the air,the fragrance of the grass,speaks to me.The summit of the mountain,the thunder of the sky,the rhythm of the sea,speaks to me.The faintness of the stars,the freshness of the morning,the dew drop on the flower,speaks to me.The strength of the fire,the taste of salmon,the trail of the sun,And the life that never goes away,They speak to me.And my heart soars.
The author of the poem, Chief Dan George, was chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation from British Columbia, Canada. He was an actor, musician, poet, and author. Here are two photos of him. I think you may recognize him as an actor.
Canadian actor Chief Dan George (1899-1981)
As an actor, Chief Dan George is best remembered for portraying Old Lodge Skins opposite Dustin Hoffman in Little Big Man (1970), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor; also for his role in The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), as Lone Watie, opposite Clint Eastwood.
And in honor of Earth Day (four days later), I bring you my photos of trees from all four seasons:
SPRING
SUMMER (Gail, you will know where this photo was taken!)
FALL
WINTER
I love that poem and your reading of it in class! It’s a beautiful dedication.
The tree in India is spectacular! I recently came upon an enormous tree in a county park on the south end of San Juan Island that has a complicated set of huge branches that touch the ground. There is a well-worn trail into it’s center but, unfortunately, the tree is not identified. The branches are so large and widespread that a photo can’t capture their complexity. Hopefully, after it leafs out, I will learn what it is.
OH, I hope you get a partial photo of it. Thank you for sharing!
What a great photo of that knarled up tree with you next to it practing reverse Warrior II. And I never knew who Chief Dan George was until today. Lovely poem he wrote that you read to us on Earth Day last week. So glad you repeated it in writing here today. So beautiful. Thank you, Fran, for all your gifts to us, including this blog.
Hi Bev, I forgot to mention that the gnarled tree is in South India in the wild elephant reserve. We went birding and on another day, went to see the elephants from a boat (the elephants come to the lake in the evening). I love that tree. Love and Namaste, Fran
I love trees, too. They have unique personalities and if I’m quiet enough can hear their wisdom.
Beautiful poem! Thank you for sharing!!
HI Rene, Trees are fantastic. I have my favorite trees at Green Lake. And my friend Gail pointed out a tree that she planted years ago in memory of her friend so I always say hello to that tree. We are going to plant a tree for Toni at her favorite park in Valparaiso, indiana, Ogden Gardens. A tree, a bench, a plaque for Toni-Love. I hope her tree grows enormously. Love and Namaste, Fran