healingwords: poetry for the soul

Walking in nature gives me time and space to reflect on life in these turbulent times. We need to build a better world, where equality, justice and respect is the normal way for society to function. We need to learn from the Covid 19 crisis to ensure public health care provision is there for all and is supported by government. We need to act now to protect the planet with robust policies and enactment. All this needs good government and decision making so the first step is to hold our politicians to account, make sure voting rights are enshrined in law and that every person actually votes for the very best people to take the decisions needed for all our futures. 

Yesterday I was able to go out for the first time in 8 weeks. It was a beautiful evening, cooling enough to enjoy a gentle walk around the village. We crossed paths with other walkers, all politely moving aside, maintaining a safe distance without comment. It was strange to see people and speak Spanish again and refreshing to be out in the open, enjoying familiar views and the countryside blooming. I am fortunate to live 5 minutes walk from nature, the virus still controls our movements here but we enjoy more freedom than those living in city flats with a high density population. I wonder with the new home office working proving possible if we will stiff a movement out of the cities to a quieter way of life and a regeneration of many depopulated rural areas. I think we are at the beginning of a time of change, where the accepted progress of our societies, with its benefits but also its problems,  is being reevaluated.

This winter I planted a number of acorns I picked up in the woods where they littered the ground around the holm oak trees. I followed instructions and put them in a moist bag in the fridge for a few weeks, then with my grandsons help, planted them in the long pot where my mint grows. Months past and we were delighted to see tiny oak plants spouting, with the familiar spiked holly leaves of the holm oak. Some weeks later I decided to transplant them to their own pots and was amazed to find that the inch high oak had a root at least 10 times as long, wrapping around the planter. I worried that moving such a long root would damage the plant but so far they are still alive and hopefully getting used to their new pots.  In the wild where the earth is often baked hard and dry, it takes rain and the passing of an animal to squelch an acorn into the soil. Baby oaks grow very slowly, shadowed out by the faster growing, invasive pine. I hope one day to take my little oak plants and find a g...

Today, on this saddest of days, I choose to remember and celebrate our membership of the European Union. Many people came to our aid at a time of great need, politicians, lawyers, experts, EU civil service representatives from all countries and political parties. Many not only offered support but become lasting and treasured friends.  They listened with respect,  responding with justice and compassion, demonstrating the best of the European project.  They helped secure the future of this small village and all the European citizens living here. I will always feel European and thank Freedom of Movement and the people of Spain for making me so welcome here.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.