Otherness

Otherness

'ness is a state of being

being other

but not other

than our Self..

Thus the tree

the lake

the animal

the bird

we perceive these others

and they in richness

join and bless

bless our Being

our one Self...

Before Felling a Tree

Don’t kill me, don’t fall on me.

Sacred Tree, Sacred Pine

It’s because I am in need

that I cut you down….

Give me your firewood, your kindling,

your torchlight so I can see what I’m eating, Kajval.

Give me your heat to bake my tortillas, to boil my beans.

Give me the beams to build my house

and pillars to support the thatch, the vines, the mud.

Kaxil, Godmother:

I’m going to split your wood, your arms, your legs,

your face, your head.

I’m going to chop you down with my ax,

with my machete.

Don’t scold me, don’t drip your tears on me.

I don’t want to cut you down, but it’s cold….

Antonia Moshán Culej’s poem “Before Felling a Tree” exemplifies the Mayan women’s respect for and connectedness with nature: