Another stunning piece of writing. I'm sorry for your loss of the trees. We are facing threats of the city paving over Turtle Lake and Poppy Point, our neighborhood refuge where we visit Poppy, where we spend time with the birds and squirrels, where we track the seasons through the dwellers there. I'm both enraged and also on my knees. We'll see what happens when/if the destruction begins.
As an abolitionist and traumatized person who has been destructive, I relate so much to identification with people 'losing it.' I've lost it too, ya know? Somehow with more 'tools' (like therapy ones) and less access to things that could do serious harm, everyone is in one piece on the other side of it. (Also, through the grace of god? idk) If you've ever felt out of your body while your body raged and tantrum'd, I feel like you understand how people do things like you reported on. It's weird the lines I draw. They are usually about ideology. If someone is violent ---even in a moment of distress-- but is emboldened by oppressive ideology (like the ICE agent), then I have no ability to empathize or find compassion. Everyone else though....for better or worse....lots of empathy and compassion.....
There's a special kind of grief attached to losing trees like this. As chance would have it, I read this piece earlier today and had been thinking about it all afternoon: https://substack.com/home/post/p-185202422
Another stunning piece of writing. I'm sorry for your loss of the trees. We are facing threats of the city paving over Turtle Lake and Poppy Point, our neighborhood refuge where we visit Poppy, where we spend time with the birds and squirrels, where we track the seasons through the dwellers there. I'm both enraged and also on my knees. We'll see what happens when/if the destruction begins.
As an abolitionist and traumatized person who has been destructive, I relate so much to identification with people 'losing it.' I've lost it too, ya know? Somehow with more 'tools' (like therapy ones) and less access to things that could do serious harm, everyone is in one piece on the other side of it. (Also, through the grace of god? idk) If you've ever felt out of your body while your body raged and tantrum'd, I feel like you understand how people do things like you reported on. It's weird the lines I draw. They are usually about ideology. If someone is violent ---even in a moment of distress-- but is emboldened by oppressive ideology (like the ICE agent), then I have no ability to empathize or find compassion. Everyone else though....for better or worse....lots of empathy and compassion.....
Anyway. Thank you so much for this.
Oh, Raechel! I am sending so many heartfelt prayers that the city does not destroy the lake or the place where you visit Poppy!!
And thank you, so much, for reading and for everything, always!
Such a powerful piece! I mourn your trees Cameron and everything they represented inside & out.
Living among trees myself, I swear I could feel the agony/anger viscerally through the screen as I read. Powerful stuff.
There's a special kind of grief attached to losing trees like this. As chance would have it, I read this piece earlier today and had been thinking about it all afternoon: https://substack.com/home/post/p-185202422
I can’t wait to read this. Thank you for sharing!
This is so powerful, Cameron.
Thanks, Lesley. Sending many well wishes to you!