Thursday, October 16, 2014

Savage spring

Fierce storms have wrecked havoc at the bach.
Savage spring sent ferocious gusts that tugged and ripped until all resistance was gone.
 Felled is the lofty kanuka that has stood for over 50 years a sentinel at the corner.
Who guards the guardians?
The tree was sound, with no trace of rot. Maybe it was slashed by lightning. Nature has many methods.
Savage spring has torn branches off younger trees and flung them casually over the pathways.
 Nikau fronds were whipped off and disdainfully cast through the inner sanctuary of the flax bush.
 But the same power is unsheathing the new season's strong shoots,
driving weeds up through the pathways, scattering onion weed over the banks, 
bolting through broccoli and rocket, sending it to seed before it's had time to produce,
filling the silver beet with dark nutrients,
 and finally, as if in an act of contrition, offering up a single flower.
There have been times when I too have been rent asunder, slashed and tattered.
Life, like nature, has its savage seasons. But nature also brings new life and new energy.  The blood of wounding is also the blood of regeneration.

15 comments:

growMama said...

Goodness, nature can do a brutal pruning! Like in our lives sometimes...the Tower tarot card came to mind seeing these pictures. Must've been a shock coming home to that!

Juliet said...

Yes, that's it exactly Anissa. Thank you, it was a shock, but then I just stood in awe, because the interior of the tree was so beautiful. I wanted to carve it.

Hotly Spiced said...

I'm sorry to hear about your storms and see the damage to your property at the Bach. I'm not sure if you've heard but we've had some terrible storms hear in Sydney with temperatures plummeting and even snow in the mountains. It's been so cold. And thank you so much for your comments regarding the chocolate cake. I do agree with you re the high sugar content. Next time I make it I will use coconut oil instead of butter and coconut sugar to replace the sugar. It's great cake but it could be equally as good with some healthier alternatives xx

Linda said...

Wow! Devastating. Your photos are lovely.

Juliet said...

* Charlie, I heard about the storms in Sydney and they sound pretty devastating too. I look forward to more recipes from you.
* Linda, it was pretty strong that storm.
Thank you Charlie and Linda, I appreciate your comments.

Nadezda said...

Oh, my God! What a storm, Juliet!
Pure your veggies and flowers. I hope they could survive and continue growing.

Juliet said...

Nadezda, yes it was a big storm and went on for many days, but the veges and flowers were low enough to the ground to survive, luckily.

Anonymous said...

Our weather has been mild in comparison.I love your words 'The blood of wounding is also the blood of regeneration'. There is comfort in that thought. Are you able to carve the wood? Or sand and oil a piece as a keepsake?

Juliet said...

Gallivanta, thank you. I found comfort in that thought too. I like the idea of sanding and oiling a piece of the wood. That would be a nice way to soothe away the shock.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Juliet - crumbs the Kanuka is grounded after 50 years .. the storm winds must have been devastating. However life does start again doesn't it .. just gives us a new vista to look at after we've tidied up.

I'm glad the veggie garden is enjoying the warmer Spring weather .. cheers Hilary

Juliet said...

Hilary, it's true that new vistas open up when a tree is gone. The winds were pretty strong. Thanks.

Vicki Lane said...

Such beautiful words and pictures. The loss of a big tree is always sad. . .

Juliet said...

Thank you Vicki. So many years of growth went into that tree, and it's sad that it was felled by the wind when it was still so healthy and strong.

Terry and Linda said...

I so love trees and just hate seeing them hurt and destroyed. I'm so sorry for your tree loss...trees are very important standing people in the world.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Juliet said...

Thank you Linda. Trees take on such a presence over the years, don't they?