Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Jackie Morris Artist
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

About time: or, Letters to the Earth

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Letters to the Earth publishes on Thursday. It is a collection of letters, brought together by four women and the book is a catalyst for conversations/ inspiration/ new ways of thinking about the planet on which we live. Of all the collaborative books I have worked on this one has touched my soul most deeply.

For the past four weeks, every Friday at 11 am I have stopped work to gather with people to read from this book, to talk about how we feel, to talk about what we can do. This week I was in Crickhowell in Book-ish where we gathered around coffee, tea and kindness. Passing the book from hand to hand we read. What a way to connect with people and the problems of our age, through creativity.

So far these events, that are not really events, just gatherings, have been small and intimate. My aim is to encourage people to begin their own versions to sit alongside the big public readings, like the one on the pink boat in Oxford Circus where Emma Thompson read my swallows piece ( thank you Karin Celestine for reading that this time, in Book-ish) I had been asked to go up to London to read this, but I have work to do and reasons to cling to my time at home in my studio, so it was rather wonderful to hear that my words had flown there. Like the ten hour one in Trafalgar Square, intimidated by police helicopters and sirens, the gatherings in theatre foyers, galleries.

Letters to the Earth has given me a way to connect with people again, at these small meetings, and I love that. But it has also given me some wonderful connections with the writers of some of the other letters. Recently I read Expectation by Anna Hope, the woman who first drew me into this. It’s a most wonderful novel, written from the heart. And then there is Nick Drake. His piece, The Future, haunts me. I heard it first, read by Andrew Scott, as part of the original campaign.

Listen.

I wanted to ask Nick about this, a piece from a much longer poem, part of The Farewell Glacier.

In it, Nick speaks at times in the voice of the glacier, at times in the voices of other explorers, and here as ‘The Future’… speaking as ‘time’. The voice addresses us,

Dear Mortals,

I know you are busy with your colourful lives..’

This suggests that Time, The Future, are immortal. I have been fascinated by the nature of time, trying to understand it, for most of my life. We measure it on watches. I watch it pass as sand through an hour glass, through the ebb and flow of tides, seasons, by the coming of birds and the leaving of birds. But I have always thought that it was finite. Not just my time. This is obvious. All of us face a limited amount of time alive, and so short a time it is in the grander scheme of things. But I had always thought that at some time in the future there would also be an end of time. So, Nick, here’s my question, do you believe that time is immortal?

Letters to the Earth is a book filled with hope. I love how the letters of the ‘famous’ writers sit beside those of young people, and often the young people’s letters are the most amazing. My own favourite of the moment, apart from Nick’s is by Jenny Ngugi, aged 13, which has about it a rhythm in the writing that shines. Also Thirteen by Tia Khodabocus, aged 15 which ends:

We have the answers, the solution and the methods. The scientists found them, the children cry them, and the politicians ignore them.

As we head towards an election I leave this thought with you.

If you live near St Davids, fancy a winter trip away, come to this. Get the book. Start your own group. Small or large, gather together in hope, active hope.

The post About time: or, Letters to the Earth appeared first on Jackie Morris Artist.


Source: http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/about-time-or-letters-to-the-earth/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.