Does one tree in the forest think it is better than another?
The following is a poem I wrote at a recent poetry workshop at the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. I was prompted by the beautiful tree motifs of its window curtains.
The Color of Skin
Surrounded by trees
Some blue, some black
Shines the Light for us to see
Some blue, some black
Side by side – neither do they lack
Ever wonder why we label persons, places, and things then place a judgment of value upon it? It becomes either more or less.
Trees only know how to be a tree. It does not know what color it is. Nor does it think it is more or less than its neighbor tree. In God’s creation, it is us humans who place a value on one tree over another; ie. a good tree versus a “trash” tree.
We humans also put labels on ourselves (and others) as a form of self-identification and comparison. I am either good or bad. You are either a member of my “group/tribe/label,” or not.
If you are black, white, red, yellow, or somewhere inbetween; You are either “in or out, …more or less than.”
Even in our religious traditions we label, divide, then accept or downcast. Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheist all believe they have the “Truth,” and others less so (if at all). We find the same within the numerous Christian traditions, ie. you either have the “right thinking” or not.
Maybe its man’s first and core sin: Pride, followed by shame and fear. We are all susceptible and it ends up being our first step into division and personal prejudice. And somehow “acting” as though we are more or less than who our Beloved has created us to be.
Maybe we cannot avoid attaching labels to things and people. It is hardwired in the way our minds function and the limitations of words we use to communicate. A greater consciousness that words only point and are not the thing itself – opens us to a “greater” love.
“The mystic forgets the given name or hangs little on it, can carry his names in a coin purse. Loss of names is not the loss of everything. The sun names nothing …”
Darrell Bourque, The Yellow Covenant
Regardless of what I think (or judge) to be of more or less value: It is God’s Wisdom that matters and will always trump our own perceived reality.
Which by the way, teaches me to pray by listening while remaining hopeful that my Beloved truly has a sense of humor.
For this, I am grateful.
