Lindsey with a Torrey Pine tree
California, United States
P L A Y
Hey mother tree!
Here I am, barefoot atop your fallen needles.
Your sap shall stay with me for weeks!
Here is my song for you…
And some drops of water from all over the world that I’ve been blessed to receive - a gift, for your good company and conversation with me today and for all that you gift us.
I’m sure, I’m sure we can each speak with the trees…
That you’ll talk to me today.
But when I think of people and trees
I think of the short cuts we’ve taken,
Cutting right through the tidy rings of wisdom that you’ve kept over all the ages.
Grinding you down into flat leaves of paper and lines all our own…
Fleeting, bereft unknown.
This was where my mind was going when…
Climb child! Play!
She said to me.
Breaking me free from the thoughts spinning me away from our moment together.
Really? I said… me? Climb you? You’ll hold me?
Yes.
And after climbing around her branches and then hammocking in her arms like a child, I asked…
Can I stay forever?
And she said to me,
Stick around!
And I laughed out loud for a long time,
Both of us knowing I take myself far too seriously to unleash wit fast enough for a joke so good as that!
— Lindsey Lou
A B O U T L I N D S E YLindsey Lou is a writer, activist, water protector, advocate of non-violent communication, rock balancer and dog whisperer. She is the author of the book ‘Peace Standards’ an account of her time at Standing Rock. A First Nations woman and proudly Oglala Lakota, she is wearing a prayer shawl from her great grandmother.
“It is time for balance. Inherently, as life-givers, women care most about protecting life now and for the children and children's children for many generations. It is time for women to speak clearly now, with wisdom, courage and compassion for mother earth, and to be heard. From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family.
As a woman, I commit to answering Mother Earth’s call for help through my clear wisdom, courage and compassion.”
— Lindsey Lou
“As a woman, I commit to answering Mother Earth’s call for help through my clear wisdom, courage and compassion.”
— Lindsey Lou
Photography by Liv Milani
Voice and music mixing by Joanna Lero
Music credit: Milo Manzana – Aguila Ritmica (feat Ran Gerson)
