Aldrya
Publishing
A Division of Harmony Consultations
Presents ...
If
These Trees Could Talk, Park 1
by Katelynne Trnka
“The photos are exquisite”
notes Ellen Kort, former poet laureatte for the state of Wisconsin.
“The angle from which the are taken have a warm, human quality
to them. They make me want to hug each and every tree.”
Carol Bridges, author of “A Soul
in Place: Reclaming Home As Sacred Space” says, "I love
this book, the photos are so sensitive, truly showing the spirit of
the trees. Kate's writing is heartfelt and will inspire others who
begin to hear the trees to trust their "communication."
The
Sentinels
FOREWARD to "If These Trees Could
Talk, Park 1"
I don’t pretend to know much about
trees – from a scientific standpoint anyway. But I do know about
my experiences with them. Yes, I talk to trees. Yes, I hug trees.
I believe that trees have spirits and that they can communicate with
us. I hope that by the time I finish these stories that I have a deeper
knowledge and understanding of trees and I hope that by sharing these
stories with you that you too develop a deeper understanding and appreciation
for the “Standing People”.
Trees don’t communicate with voices
that can be heard by the human ear, as we are accustomed to hearing.
But they do have something to say and we can listen to them. Hearing
and listening are two different skills. To hear is to perceive sound
by the ear. To listen is to pay attention; to try to hear. I believe
trees, and all of nature, communicate the way Creator had designed
us to communicate – with no articulated words. Call it telepathy
if you like. I believe the fall of man came when we forgot, or chose
not to communicate in this fashion. By not listening we became separated
from God. I use the word God in my writings to refer to that mysterious
force that is beyond our reasonings and imaginations, the One who
created all that is; the One who knows us and lives within us –
the One that lives within ALL things.
But, please don’t let the word “God” conjure up
any long-held negative feelings about religion, because these stories
have nothing to do with religion, rather they have to do with “knowing.”
Knowing that the Universe we live in is greater than anything we can
imagine. Knowing that we get to be a part of it. Knowing that each
of us has a role to play. Knowing that we are all interconnected.
Knowing that each choice we make impacts the world we live in. Knowing
that driving nails into a tree will injure it and may even kill it.
I have seen this. (See “Randy and the Dying Ones.”) Knowing
that it starts and ends with every choice we make. And one of those
choices is whether or not we choose to listen. I have chosen to listen
to the stories of the trees. I have chosen to share them with you.
I may use the term hir from time to time
when the gender of the trees’ spirit was not made known to me
(or if I forgot to, or when it didn’t seem important to differentiate
its gender). I wanted to know the trees I wrote about – know
hir name, know hir “tribe”, and of course know hir story.
I invite you into the woods with me so you can know their stories,
too. Come along – I have lots of interesting “people”
for you to meet!
Harmony
Consultations