For the trees have no tongues
Emotography …. I have Claudette at ‘To Search and to Find’ (strapline ‘happiness in every day’ which I love) to thank for Emotography. Its so alluringly simple …. post a picture, link to her site so she can include it in her gallery of the week and give, in as many or as few words as your mood dictates, the emotion that prompted the picture or that you felt when you saw the result.
For me today it is HOPE. When I came upon this scene at Vaughn Hill, Bolton here in Massachusetts it shouted of The Lorax, my favourite of Dr Seuss’s extraordinary catalogue of books read to me as a small child despite being non-American because we had best friends from Boston – he, Hoops, an English professor she, Betty, once legendarily said to me, when I was denuding her greengage tree of fruit ‘see how Hoops just bleeeends with the waaaallpaper’ causing me, a gauche English girl to nearly drop plum straight out of the tree so irreverently funny was the image of this studious professor simply a disembodied head, his shirt of palest apricot blending with the silken walls of their drawing room. The Lorax is a classic. And of course I read it in turn to my own children. It co-exists as a children’s classic with ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, it stands with ‘The Wind in The Willows’ and so many others here un-named as the finest books to read to children and for children to read. But the message – the message is clear to us all. Children and adults alike. These dry lifeless trees standing defiantly in the water, for all the world like the Truffala’s in The Lorax remind me and should remind us all that we must protect what we have. Be it from feisty little worms (to which these trees have succumbed) or to the greed of industrialists making their own version of Thneeds. I have hope that we will. Because we can. If we will.
I am The Lorax. I speak for the trees ….
For the trees have no tongues
Apart from talking for the trees I taking the liberty of suggesting the following that they might enjoy the value of taking part with Claudette in her Emotography weekly event:
https://poshbirdyblog.wordpress.com/
https://thechangingpalette.com/
Thank you for sharing Claudette and “emotography.” Your picture is hauntingly beautiful and completely connects with The Lorax. I’m not sure if you took that pic locally, but if so, perhaps Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) actually saw that place. He was from Springfield, MA- about 1.5 hours from Boston. 😊
Monkey baby will now be booking the first available flight to come and stay with mummy – she absolutely LOVES Dr Seuss …. for her 21st birthday when she was saving to go travelling, I had a locket made for her with the lines ‘you have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself anyway that you choose’ inscribed inside. The picture was taken at Vaughn Hill, Bolton so yes, very close indeed and certainly, I now realise thanks to your very much appreciated factoid, TG may have seen it himself. Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂
I love your picture and of course your lyrical writing. I love the lorax and Dr. Seuss too. “Oh! The places you’ll go!”
thank you so much! I just commented to White House, Red Door that I had a locket made for my third daughter on her 21st birthday with ‘you have brains in your head you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose’ inscribed inside. He was the most wonderful writer and such a great influence on generations of children 🙂
Yes! And he did it in a whimsical way.
I think he was a genius. From Green Eggs and Ham to The Lorax and The Grinch he was always teaching but as you say in a whimsy way so you almost forget you ARE being taught 🙂
That’s what I love about him.
For the trees have no tongues.. My instant emotion before seeing the pic and moreso after, equal parts sadness and desperation.. You really can string few words and elicit emotions Osyth.. There’s a lake named Horseshoe Lake in Illinois that looks somewhat like the picture.. And when I was there, I didn’t know what blighted the trees but it made me sad.. Stewie loved the swimming and I cried inside for the trees..
Thank you Pan … you are always so generous with your compliments 🙂 Of course, it makes me sad too but I have to have hope, you see …. these were killed by worms for sure – I have pictures of some of the trunks with holes all over them. I love your last line ‘I cried inside for the trees’ …. that’s it. Exactly it. But the dogs do love that water 😉
I laugh every time you say I’m generous or kind with comments.. I’m really not either one.. My Mom taught me , if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything.. And with time constraints be that as they may, I only have time to type what really moves me, whether its an opinion of someone’s words or deeds or if I’m impassioned to speak out for some reason..
If I post an opinion its from the heart and calorie free, no sugar coating 😊
There’s a twofold advantage to doing this.. My silence is either, I wasn’t moved OR that I haven’t read a post.. And only I know which is true 😉
Kindred! I never say anything I don’t mean … pointless and ultimately time wasting 🙂
😉 You get me, you really do.. Many don’t 😞
Most don’t get me either …. But I’ve learned to take quality over quantity and you are quality 🙂
Awww, ditto.. 😊
The trees are well represented. Of course, there will be those that will always want someone else to take care of business, but I’m sure that there are enough of us around to take care of the trees.
So long as we keep remembering ….
Did you see this quote by Dr. Seuss?
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Dr. Seuss
That book and that quote particularly are etched on my heart and on my mind – we must never ever forget to care an awful lot about what actually matters. But I know I’m preaching to the converted 🙂
Ok, you got me. Converted? Who or What has converted and converted from what? Sorry 🙁
Preaching to the converted is simply a clichéed way of saying that we are in accord already. I am not implying that you have been converted or that you need to be converted simply acknowledging the fact that we share some of the same convictions 🙂
YOU GOT IT AND YOU GET IT, but “matters” is a huge territory consisting of billions apon billions of values, morals, faiths, beliefs, rights, wrongs and more…
So, the “million dollar question is, “What one belief could tie the billions together?” And yes, it requires diligence and the burial of false pride and all ego.
I’ll give you only one clue. It can be found in a woman’s quote.
I don’t know what you are referring to precisely. For me the only belief that will tie us all together, given the assumption that we can persuade the masses to bury false pride and ego which in truth is not something I’m going to hold my breath on because selfishness and greed are rampant in this world but the one thing that would really bind all is to be HumanKIND …. I’m a dreamer, a ham philosopher and a reader but I’m afraid I cannot adhere to any belief system nor faith. I am an atheist and I am fundementally appalled by the misuse of religeon to control the masses. I imagine you have seen this brilliant interview with Stephen Fry when he answers the question ‘what would he say to God’ … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-d4otHE-YI
I haven’t slept yet and I’m dying. I need to catch a couple of hours and then I’ll continue the fact finding on Cole. I have an idea… Thanks again for your help.
When you have the time, check the latest post/reblog on my site. It’s a trip…
The converted explanation was great.:-) Thank you – Why didn’t you like the YOU GOT IT, YOU GET IT comment? I didn’t write it to offend anyone.
I missed it – sorry …. will find it now 🙂
Ok, my comment was an open ended comment with nothing set in stone, no sharp corners or jagged edges and not one line drawn with precision that could create a separation of what should or should not be said. I left it as open as I could to interpretation.
You responded with defining declarations about yourself and I will respect them. I would like to respond in kind.
It would seem that I am a lone entry into a familiar world of yours, of Pan and Kerry. I enjoy this kind of change. It’s relatively easy and adds a little jazz to life. No matter what I have newly entered, I have done so with a predetermined distance and caution. If I’m feeling Ok, it melts easily.
When I use the word belief, I am not referring to anyone’s God. I do not have a belief in the past or present concept of God. If my life weighed on the telling of who I am, what I am and what I believe, according to today’s standards [gov. standards], I would be dead. I wouldn’t know what to say. I have had to change who I am so many times, I won’t fit in that common mold and never have. What I can tell you with confidence, is what I want from this spiritual world [?¿?]. For every creature on this earth, zero legged to eight legged and beyond, during the feelings of fear, of pain and love prior to their death, I want a sensation of comfort and love to engulf them till the last sustaining intake of life.
Goodnight –
I almost forgot-
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotton that we belong to each other.”
Mother Teresa
‘What can you do to fix the world? Go home and live your family’ Mother Teresa
I wanted to wait a minute before I commented on the quote. Believe me when I say, there have been many times that I have wished I could be present for them. Unfortunately, for various reasons they have all died. I do the best that I can, not without some failures, to represent their love for this country and the people, hopefully with grace, in debate or not. That is a heartfelt quote. Thank you for posting it.
Thanks for the shout out Osyth. That is a sad sight, and I too hope that in our future world there will be less greed by mankind that affects nature and the future of generations unborn.
I love Dr Seuss too, some great verse with serious messages.
Always a pleasure- I will do more of these but I’m incapable of scheduling a finite day so it will be more of a freeform join in! I have no surprise that you are a fan of Dr Seuss too …. thinking, feeling people tend to 🙂
Thanks for thinking of me, Osyth! It’s on my list but I am a bit behind these days (ah, who am I kidding? Chronically, hopelessly behind…especially when it comes to organizing my pictures). Lovely photo, lovely sentiment!
I’m glad you liked it and hopelessly behind is actually my rather long winded middle name!
There is a beautiful sadness in your lovely photo – thank you for sharing and very timely for me because the chestnut trees that hemmed the village square and provided lovely shade for us have just been cut down by the Mairie despite massive protest from the villagers. The square has lost all charm and character and all because one person complained that they shaded her shop window. I could have wept. Why are we so contemptuous of Nature.
Oh how awful! A wise man once said to me that the worlds problems boil down to one thing ‘that the rights of the individual outweigh the rights of the masses’ …. your story illustrates that perfectly. I hope the blasted mayor gets deposed next time around! Trees are our respirators, the lungs of the planet …. foolish man should heed that well.
My favourite too. In fact, the only one of his books I ever actually asked my parents to buy for me when I was a kid. I loved it.
When I got to reading it to my own, I could never get through it hearing my own voice enunciate the words without crying.
It can never be said enough times
Absolutely right 🙂
I love that picture. You can find scenes like that all across Maine. Half the state is swamp with enough “Black Flies” to drive the moose insane any carry off small children!
I’m glad you like it …. Vaughn Hill is very close by here. I will get to Maine soon and will report on whether there are any moose dangling children from their antlers at that time 🙂
Only during the rut!
Trees God’s most wonderful creation v man, probably not one of his best ideas………
I would love to get involved in the emotograhy ‘experience’ but I am a techno numpty and have no idea how to tag in my post – maybe mrs 2HB can help x
Oh it’s easy …. all you do is follow the link to Claudette’s site and grab the URL. Then you highlight the text you want to hyperlink and click on the chain icon on the options menu at the top of the page where you are composing and up pops a box into which you paste the URL and hey presto bongo … linked and it will appear as a pingback for Claudette! It’s such a wonderful idea. If you have problems shout and I will send you and email with instructions or a link to the wordpress help on the web 🙂 xx Can’t wait to see what you come up with X
The photo is beautiful yet sad. It represents many areas in life and in the world we live in. Thanks Osyth for sharing a lovely post! 🙂
I’m glad you like it … trees have been an important influence in my life and seeing these standing forlorn was heartbreaking. But even when the heart is breaking we must never give up hope because without hope there is no point at all 🙂
Yes, I absolutely agree! 🙂
@”I speak for the trees…” – cool, as I’m a tree hugger… <3
I thought of you when I was writing lovely fellow tree lover 🙂
Great photo Fiona and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr Seuss. His quotes are simply the stuff of wise men set in simple terms.
Quite wonderful.
A genius pure and simple and it turns out he was from down the road so I may don a tally stripy hat and make a nuisance of myself in his honour 😀
Thats the way! Be the Cat, be the Cat in the Hat!!
Love not live though live works too 🙂
wonderful picture, not in a good way…but to show that we must do more to save out cousins the evergreens, the tall, the small the dying…I had my chakras read and they said I was a tree in one of my former lives..made sense since I have been know to stop and jump out and go hug a tree in need…you can almost hear them all crying out for help in the picture…..love Dr. Seuss and that is one that is in my collection…..make sure you have a pair of stripy knee highs on too!!!
XXkat
Thank you. I’m most interested in your relationship to trees …. I wonder if I may have been too – I feel them, they speak to me. Or maybe I was just a squirrel with a nest. Stripy knee -highs – now you’re talking 😀 x
I have always lived, with the exception of now, where there are huge evergreens, they speak to me also….one of my favorite things to do as a young child was lay under trees and listen to what they say….watch them sway in the wind…get lost in there world…I have always been a tree hugger, even before there was such a thing…LOL to be told later in my life I was once a tree was conformation to me of my wild obsession I have with them…in the desert its the saguaros that talk to me….and poke me…LOL they have old souls like trees….I am not sure if I am making any sense but they are alive and breathing, crazy sounding, but they are magical beings to me….I was fascinated with the Wizard of Oz when the Apple trees came alive, one of my most favorite parts of the movie along with the flying monkeys…LOL my husband can’t understand that I call the saguaros my sister and the trees my brothers and cousins…who really knows where we came from and where we are going after our spirits are done with the bodies in which we encase…??? XXkat…..go hug some of those poor trees….you may be surprised at what good it could do!
You make total sense to me …. this comes with the caveat that most people think I’m a little odd 😉 I do talk to the trees, I do hug them and I do look to them as sage advisors and councellors if only we would let them be. My husband, incidentally, knows I’m potty but supports my whims on the basis that he too is pretty half-baked 🙂 XX
LOL My husband thinks I am out there…but supports me in whatever I want to do…even dancing naked under the moon…he has never joined in but supports my lunacy….LOL there’s so much more to life than what’s in front of us….a lot of people can’t or won’t let themselves feel emotion out of the box of what society accepts…so sad…but screw them….LOL its all about what makes us, me, people like us happy….that’s all that really matters…..I wish I could hug my saguaros….they are a bit prickly in more ways than one!!! they think that they are all that……k
I know, I know – feeling guilty but I will emotograph soon. Love the post and the comments just as much 🙂
Don’t feel guilty. NEVER feel guilty. It’s very debilitating as feelings go. Whenever you have a chance you would be a welcome addition, I know. 🙂
I love Dr. Seuss, trees especially and this lovely post. I will be including you in a short list of nominations for a rather new award, The Miranda Sings Award on 2/24/16. I hope you will visit me on this day. 🙂 I wrote a post called “Trees Bring Me Peace” awhile back. You may like this older post. Although I am “bad” with links. . . Maybe you can search for it? 🙂
I will certainly search for it …. I have made a note so that I don’t forget. I’m very glad you enjoyed this piece. Both Seuss and Trees are fundemental to my well-being 🙂