Friday, January 20, 2006

And the beat goes on


The pear tree isn't the only storm casualty on the farm, though these remnants of a horse chestnut were created several years ago. But the Earth's wisdom in using absolutely everything is wonderfully obvious here. The "dead" piece of trunk is home to millions of little creatures and plants, some working to transform the wood into soil — and they'll get the job done, too, never mind how long it takes from a human point of view.

When Lent arrives we will be singing the haunting refrain "In the midst of life, we are in death ... " during Compline, the last, quiet service of the day. And here, right under our noses, the Earth is singing its hopeful counterpoint: "In the midst of death, we are in life ..."

No comments: