Sunday, May 25, 2014

My Help is in the Mountain

The following poem came up on my Facebook news feed a few days ago and really moved me.  It expresses the healing that be gained from belonging to a place and becoming one with the land.




My help is in the mountain
Where I take myself to heal
The earthly wounds
That people give to me.
I find a rock with sun on it
And a stream where the water runs gentle
And the trees which one by one give me company.
So must I stay for a long time
Until I have grown from the rock
And the stream is running through me
And I cannot tell myself from one tall tree.
Then I know that nothing touches me
Nor makes me run away.
My help is in the mountain
That I take away with me. 

-Nancy Wood

When I read this poem I am reminded of the hills, canyons, steams and trails which are my healing places.  I think of how so many people have lost a spiritual relationship with the land they inhabit; of how the world’s problems could be resolved if we would only set down roots.  Therefore I ask - to what land do you belong?  Where are your healing places?