“The tree, which moves some to tears of joy,
Is in the eyes of others only a thing that stands in the way.
Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity,
And some scarce see Nature at all.
But to the eyes of the man of imagination,
Nature is Imagination itself.”
William Blake
Music: Spirit Of The Lake
We took a wondrous journey north
Driving numerous miles to visit a tree
It’s been revered by Native Americans
For at least the last five or six centuries
I have visited it many times in my fishing boat
But on this trip, I took my wife to see this tree
January’s Full Moon was shining down upon it
Which added to its ancient beauty and its mystery
This tree is called Manido Giizhigance
‘Little Spirit Cedar Tree’ by the Ojibwe
A French Explorer wrote about it in 1731
And this fact alone truly fills me with awe
Little Spirit Cedar Tree stands on a rocky ledge
On Lake Superior’s vast and wind battered shore
Although gnarled, and twisted, and ever pummeled
Its fierce determination impresses me more and more
Little Spirit Cedar Tree has survived here, for centuries
It is still a very sacred symbol to Native Americans, today
And, I have often wondered how many people have viewed it
From natives in canoes, to explorers, to fishermen out in the bay
I also wonder how many bald eagles have gazed upon it
And how many songbirds have rested among its leaves
And how many chipmunks and squirrels were grateful
For its ever present cover, its comfort, and its company
And each time that I have traveled past it in a boat
I’ve marveled at its endurance, and its will to survive
Although some people never even notice that it’s here
For me, this wonder of nature, makes me feel more alive
My spouse, of Native American ancestry herself, thought it very spiritual
And, she followed the ancient custom of leaving a gift of tobacco at its base
As we traveled home, she thanked me for introducing her to Little Cedar Spirit
“For an old Wasichu, you honor the spirits well!” which brought a smile to my face
©January 2012, Old Mr. Wasichu (White Man) Ed
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"I THINK THAT I WILL NEVER SEE, A POEM LOVELY AS A TREE ..."
wisdom just for reading your pen of such
wonderous spirit of this tree, the better
for us of Mother Naturing!!!
Lady Vivian
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. :D
Anna
experience to be revered... Lady Mary Ann
I often marveled at the virgin forest west of Phillips Wisconsin. The last time I saw it was in 1966 when we canoed on the north fork of the Flambeau River. On July 4, 1978, I believe, a downburst devastated the Philips area and destroyed most of the virgin forest. However, the oldest and tallest tree, a white pine, survived because it resembled a telephone pole with only a small amount of foliage near the top to catch the wind. That tree still stands as the oldest and tallest tree in that part of northern Wisconsin.
Ron
Spirit of the Elders would be proud of you for keeping the spirit of this most sacred special tree alive...
Peace, love and light,
Namaste!
Amber
God Bless You my friend!
John M Domino
Each time I pass a field nearby my home where they are cutting down trees and clearing the land I am overcome with tears and sadness.