Culture is like a tree
It has many branches
Its shape can change but you can still tell what tree it is
Interacts with surroundings
Absorbing light, air and nutrients
Synthesising and evolving
It can spread with its seeds
It can grow majestically tall and sky is its reach
But it can’t live
without its roots that stretch deep into the soil
Supporting the tree standing proud and tall
Culture is like a tree
People are like its roots -
The most important constituent of a tree.

Last of summer rose
Falling autumn leaves
Ordinary grass
Firmly grounded, as ever, still green.

Hope is laid bare
No other way's there
Heart is laid bare
Hard to bear
Soul is laid bare
I'm here
but you are there

It’s about black
It’s about white
It’s about power
It’s about rights
It’s about politics
It’s about tribes
It's about right and wrong
and everything else in between

Life
deserves better than the news
Are we
better than the history

A few years back
the winter was particularly harsh
and lasted for a long time
Sadly in my garden
Many perennials had died
But all the trees had survived

From then on when I look at a gracious tree
and admire its glorious green
I think of its roots below the ground
that I can't see but try to feel

This year we had "Beast from the East"
My garden was covered with two feet of white
And trees were bent by snow and ice
But I did not mind
As I know
When the weather is right
Trees will sprout again
and thrive

Give me flood
or rain
or river
or even stream
as in my once sumptuous garden
I can't find any green.

Running exercises body
and heightens spirit
Walking exercises body
and lightens spirit

Walking in the rain can be misery
but can also be joy
Don't let the rain
or the world as it is now
dampens our spirit
That's the spirit

Walking in the rain can be misery
but my happiest memory
is that hot summer evening
walking in the rain
rain drops fell on her face
soaked through my skin
filled my heart with happiness