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Gum-trees StrippingSay the need's born within the tree, And waits a trigger set for light; say sap is tidal like the sea, and rises with the solstice-heat - but wisdom shells the words away to watch this fountain slowed in air where sun joins earth - to watch the place at which these silent rituals are. Words are not meanings for a tree. So it is truer not to say, 'These rags look like humility, or this year's wreck of last year's love, or wounds ripped by the summer's claw.' If it is possible to be wise here, wisdom lies outside the word in the earlier answer of the eyes. Wisdom can see the red, the rose, The stained and sculptured curve of grey, the charcoal scars of fire, and see around that living tower of tree the hermit tatters of old bark split down and strip to end the season; and can be quiet and not look for reason past the edge of reason. Judith Wright |
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Amazing photos Julie. It is nice to see the things that make your little corner of the world different from mine.
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Beautiful post, Julie, but it made me think of those dreadful fires, and all the terrible losses.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, though, especially the last one.
Kay, Alberta
For some reason I read the poem before really looking at the images. I like all the bark images, very fitting, but that first grey lizard on grey wood stunned me!
ReplyDeletePoignant words and beautiful photos, Julie. I love the last one the most. Have a great day. Blessings Jo
ReplyDeleteThe poem is fascinating and from one of our major poets from the 1960s.
ReplyDeletePretty much she says take the bush or what you see, not for what you can make it mean in an intellectual fashion. And certainly rid yourself of the tendency to personify. It resonated with me when I went hunting for something appropriate to include.
Set your self a high standard to match with these photos. One of the most exciting things I saw in NT is a monitor standing up, motionless.
ReplyDeleteLove goannas and their ability to use their claws so effectively ;)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your observations of the bush. It’s always a thrill to see a goanna when bushwalking
ReplyDeleteGreat bush shots. Not sure I'd be game enough to get that close to the goanna.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if a goanna is the same thing as a Lace Monitor, but I am reliably informed that my first image was a LM. Also, you need to know that he was going UP the tree and I just flipped him on the side to suit my own selfish needs for displaing I can hear Judith Wright tut-tutting from beyond the grave.
ReplyDeleteLove the bush shots - the bush track an dthe bark.
ReplyDeleteJudith Wright! What a wonderful poet. And your shots complement her words.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say today's post pressed my hot buttons ... the bush and Wright's poetry are the perfect combo.
ReplyDeleteI tried Les Murray first though, I must admit.I need to read him again, as I am losing touch with his sensibility.
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