At the end of the year your chosen words have wrung out the washed snow sheets to sing the song of moments now gone. I have read once now, just woken from a dream from my own walk in a forest of used to be trees, now street lights that guide me to see red writing on a wall with symbolic signs.
I must read again to feel the crush of snow or kelp green moss and smoke from the burning buried pine roots under my feet. Photos of dog, house and even the crow caws have their place. More must be said before the end of this year. Bear with me.
The sleep rises with words thank must be written. This is the time I take to save them from oblivion. Your words were found in my dream and I had to read. I’ll return to sleep an hour or so then start writing again. Perhaps a poem.
This was a great read, Jonathan. I will return to it again this evening because it has really moved me... It's a deep reflection on anthropocentrism and commodification of every aspect of our lives. It made me sad - but at the same time, it also made me hopeful. Thank you.
It's strange how sadness and hope can be bedfellow but like you I also feel those two seemingly estranged emotions at the same time. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it :)
You're most welcome! I love your writing and always find it contemplative.
Sadness and hope are strange bedfellows and natural allies at the same time. I always say that sadness and grief are among the strongest human emotions that can propel us into action like no other. I never subscribe to hope as hopium - some abstract wish that things will someday, somehow get better, instead I see hope as an action. We've destroyed and lost so much on this planet, but we equally have the power to change our behaviour and impact for good.
I agree with your brilliant "hopium" thought, I don't like that either, it's a cop out where action is deferred to someone or someplace else. Yes. Action of some sort, now. Very thoughtful comment, thanks so much Ramona :)
Thank you Jonathan for these crystal clear moments. A delight to read first round and to listen a second. I so appreciate hearing the voice of the writer behind and beyond the words.
I so agree about the voice, always interesting in some way to hear another writer. And thanks Julia, I guess you experience much of the same too, being a fellow forest lover/dweller/creature . Have a great New Year :)
Indeed! The wind is so eerily warm right now, nearly 30degC more than this time last year, which was an especially cold one. We’ve had to adapt the yurt dwelling a bit to handle the humid winter and there’s longing for snow to make chicken feet on the treehouse again. I’d like to hibernate with books but this endless autumn/spring is deeply unsettling - as you articulate so well. This winter is still yet to find peace.
The fluctuations in temperature are insane. There is a strange loss of our own identity, as the forest stumbles, unsettling as you so rightly say. Strange times Julia, for sure.
You're so welcome Holly, thanks so much for reading/listening. I love it when someone is willing to sit with me in this tragedy without looking away and know that "beautiful" and "true" and "heart wrenching" can all be the same thing. That's a poets soul right there :)
I LOVE this! It feels right and appropriate, especially this particular time of year. Where the land outside is so beautiful and sleepy, but all the Beings work themselves into a commercialized frenzy and the corporations here, there and everywhere are asking for donations to keep going. every time you go to the store or open an email, you are asked to support something. It's exhausting.
On another note, your voice is marvelous! It has a tone and resonance that is so wonderful.
I listened to your beautiful audio while I walked as I have done before, in awe of your expressions and the sad truths between the wondrous.
How easily we fall into the script of this high tech life, how utterly maddening that we cast aside doubt and learn it anyway, faultlessly.
"Whole geologic time scales marching past as the dog and I are caught in the confusion like two unwilling witnesses. I’ve seen the forest become unsteady and bewildered as the ancient rhythms stumble and the world loses its footing."
I too, during twenty years of roaming this hill have been, am still, overwhelmed by a vast loss in the ancient rhythms, squirrel, weasel, rabbit, sweet chestnut, elm and wild clematis, paths and trails all have dwindled in their prolificacy and yet I cannot deny, either, the seduction of a train journey, the draw of the ping on my phone, the need, the necessity a tragedy out of control...
We are too fickle, too damn willing to accept!
Thank you Jonathan, I hope your are wandering far and often in your forests during these in between days... I join you vicariously. 💚
Thanks Susie, we wander on, witnessing and recording and finding peace in the changes when we can, sometimes ignoring and forgetting, sometimes focusing and becoming desperate. Such is our lot I suppose.
It's hard to put a value on the shared camaraderie of feeling through, and I thank you for being there and feeling your way through all this with me :)
Jag är ledsen att höra det. Kan saker bara bli bättre? Även om saker och ting verkar bli värre, men jag håller med, Substack var en av de bättre sakerna för mig 2024 också
Such vivid traveling through forest and metal and commerce and then thankfully, back to forest. Being seduced by man’s inventions is such a great way to express it, the numbing, almost hypotonic devotion to commerce, separating us from nature as if we were ever anything different! “I am seduced by the train as easily as I am by the car, and the screen, and city, and all the other “take-for-granted” technologies and their supporting values that propel me through life like a pampered demigod.” << Tragic. Maddening.
Heart-achingly beautiful and true
That's just how I feel about it too :) Thanks for listening and commenting, Jan 🙏🏽
At the end of the year your chosen words have wrung out the washed snow sheets to sing the song of moments now gone. I have read once now, just woken from a dream from my own walk in a forest of used to be trees, now street lights that guide me to see red writing on a wall with symbolic signs.
I must read again to feel the crush of snow or kelp green moss and smoke from the burning buried pine roots under my feet. Photos of dog, house and even the crow caws have their place. More must be said before the end of this year. Bear with me.
I always have time to bear with you Richard. Take all the time you need my friend :)
Thaks. The light on my phone woke me as the cold was creeping under my sheet. I knew you would reply.
Now I feel bad :) Let sleep take you, Richard, we all need a good night. Enjoy the rest.
The sleep rises with words thank must be written. This is the time I take to save them from oblivion. Your words were found in my dream and I had to read. I’ll return to sleep an hour or so then start writing again. Perhaps a poem.
A poem please, Richard 🌻
In a few hours. After coffee composes in my cup. Espresso with willingness just for you.
This was a great read, Jonathan. I will return to it again this evening because it has really moved me... It's a deep reflection on anthropocentrism and commodification of every aspect of our lives. It made me sad - but at the same time, it also made me hopeful. Thank you.
Thanks so much Ramona.
It's strange how sadness and hope can be bedfellow but like you I also feel those two seemingly estranged emotions at the same time. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it :)
You're most welcome! I love your writing and always find it contemplative.
Sadness and hope are strange bedfellows and natural allies at the same time. I always say that sadness and grief are among the strongest human emotions that can propel us into action like no other. I never subscribe to hope as hopium - some abstract wish that things will someday, somehow get better, instead I see hope as an action. We've destroyed and lost so much on this planet, but we equally have the power to change our behaviour and impact for good.
I agree with your brilliant "hopium" thought, I don't like that either, it's a cop out where action is deferred to someone or someplace else. Yes. Action of some sort, now. Very thoughtful comment, thanks so much Ramona :)
Damn. You did it again.
I've got the knack now ;) Thanks as always rena 🙏🏽
Thank you Jonathan for these crystal clear moments. A delight to read first round and to listen a second. I so appreciate hearing the voice of the writer behind and beyond the words.
I so agree about the voice, always interesting in some way to hear another writer. And thanks Julia, I guess you experience much of the same too, being a fellow forest lover/dweller/creature . Have a great New Year :)
Indeed! The wind is so eerily warm right now, nearly 30degC more than this time last year, which was an especially cold one. We’ve had to adapt the yurt dwelling a bit to handle the humid winter and there’s longing for snow to make chicken feet on the treehouse again. I’d like to hibernate with books but this endless autumn/spring is deeply unsettling - as you articulate so well. This winter is still yet to find peace.
The fluctuations in temperature are insane. There is a strange loss of our own identity, as the forest stumbles, unsettling as you so rightly say. Strange times Julia, for sure.
Oh the seduction of the train and all the west. It is formidable indeed.
Beautiful. True. Heart wrenching.
Thank you for this post, Jonathan.
You're so welcome Holly, thanks so much for reading/listening. I love it when someone is willing to sit with me in this tragedy without looking away and know that "beautiful" and "true" and "heart wrenching" can all be the same thing. That's a poets soul right there :)
♥️
I LOVE this! It feels right and appropriate, especially this particular time of year. Where the land outside is so beautiful and sleepy, but all the Beings work themselves into a commercialized frenzy and the corporations here, there and everywhere are asking for donations to keep going. every time you go to the store or open an email, you are asked to support something. It's exhausting.
On another note, your voice is marvelous! It has a tone and resonance that is so wonderful.
Thanks for sharing! XO
Thanks so much Danielle, I'm kinda enjoying reading these ones, so thanks for the voice compliment, it's fuel :)
And yeah, exhausting indeed, a "commercialized frenzy" is the perfect expression. I might steal that one :)
Voice overs could be a fall back option for you ;-) Seriously, though. XO
Clears throat, Thanks 😉
🤣🤣 XO
'During the slender summer, where the light stays up all night to meet the morning with arms outstretched, there’s an orgy of luminous blooming'
You had me here!!
Thanks Síodnha :) I really liked that one too
And, I did not know you lived in Sweden.
Yep, 22 years here now. It might be the longest I've lived anywhere I think.
Must be 'home'. The distance it sometimes takes ...
Home, that idea is worth a whole post on its own. But in many ways yep it’s home söta home :)
I listened to your beautiful audio while I walked as I have done before, in awe of your expressions and the sad truths between the wondrous.
How easily we fall into the script of this high tech life, how utterly maddening that we cast aside doubt and learn it anyway, faultlessly.
"Whole geologic time scales marching past as the dog and I are caught in the confusion like two unwilling witnesses. I’ve seen the forest become unsteady and bewildered as the ancient rhythms stumble and the world loses its footing."
I too, during twenty years of roaming this hill have been, am still, overwhelmed by a vast loss in the ancient rhythms, squirrel, weasel, rabbit, sweet chestnut, elm and wild clematis, paths and trails all have dwindled in their prolificacy and yet I cannot deny, either, the seduction of a train journey, the draw of the ping on my phone, the need, the necessity a tragedy out of control...
We are too fickle, too damn willing to accept!
Thank you Jonathan, I hope your are wandering far and often in your forests during these in between days... I join you vicariously. 💚
Thanks Susie, we wander on, witnessing and recording and finding peace in the changes when we can, sometimes ignoring and forgetting, sometimes focusing and becoming desperate. Such is our lot I suppose.
It's hard to put a value on the shared camaraderie of feeling through, and I thank you for being there and feeling your way through all this with me :)
God fortsättning och Gott Nytt År 🥳
Detsamma! 2025 kommer att bli den bästa år…hoppas jag 🎉
Hoppas verkligen 2024 var ett skitår för mig. Substack var en av de bra sakerna.
Jag är ledsen att höra det. Kan saker bara bli bättre? Även om saker och ting verkar bli värre, men jag håller med, Substack var en av de bättre sakerna för mig 2024 också
Hoppas på ett Magiskt 2025 för dig med
🙏🏼❤️
Åh, jag håller med, ett så utmanande år, men substack har blivit min tillflyktsort.
Det är ett utmärkt sätt att uttrycka det, "tillflyktsort"...det känns lite som en oas för mig också.
Really lovely Jonathan and poignant and sad. thanks
Such vivid traveling through forest and metal and commerce and then thankfully, back to forest. Being seduced by man’s inventions is such a great way to express it, the numbing, almost hypotonic devotion to commerce, separating us from nature as if we were ever anything different! “I am seduced by the train as easily as I am by the car, and the screen, and city, and all the other “take-for-granted” technologies and their supporting values that propel me through life like a pampered demigod.” << Tragic. Maddening.
So so beautiful Jonathan. Thank you.