those rings of a tree and the life of me
both planted of seeds from our family
roots twisted like spaghetti, fettucini or curly fries
where distant cousins come as a surprise
in youth we grow not knowing our limit
twist and bend and are spry like a whippet
sheltered from the storms by our parents canopy
for the rings of a tree and the life of me
as an adult our bark winkles, rain on our skin like shower and a sprinkle
lightning strikes nearby but we stand with courage
as those who are nearest succumb to flames that flourish
some may fall in the dead of night
they sacrifice for the young and begin to nurse at first light
for those trees that pass I cannot weep, being a tree upright makes it hard to sleep
my branch of leaves reach out for the sun to see
for the rings of a tree and the life of me
in my own after life will I stand tall like a totem story?… with all its glory
or as stump in a waterfall at the local mall
in all our lives we hope they will remember
just like a Treefest in September
those rings in me and a natural life’s history
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About J Peachy
I am a contemporary outsider artist that believes in the healing properties of the natural environment. I paint landscapes in abstract as an expression of my connection with nature and its ability to provide me peaceful inspiration. As organisms on this earth I believe we are interconnected with nature and highly interdependent.
But as the psycho-social environment we live in today gets ever increasingly complex its effects on us are becoming more pervasive, corroding and sophisticated. However the energy, peace and serenity of our natural surroundings can provide a way of grounding our senses and healing our minds. I try to capture the interrelationship between my mind and nature as I see and feel it; it’s an expression of my soul captured on a physical medium and in a point in time. Going through the process in itself contributes to balance.
Driven by my own lived experience, I am a self proclaimed arts-based advocate for mental health and strive to demystify and eliminate stigma around these issues. My initiatives in this regard include being the Vancouver Caucus leader for the Artist Alliance for Mental Health, a collective member (2010) of the artist-run Gallery Gachet in Vancouver and the Producer and Host of Sound Therapy Radio a peer oriented mental wellness show on CJSF 90.1 FM. I have a true belief in human potential and in the statement; ‘art is a means for survival’.
Very Beautifull Jay…. the very idea…. of The Forest and Trees….. and now…the essence of ROOTS…., awakening….. deep deep deep…. within one’s sense of infinity !!!!!!
Thanks Roger, I’ll be reading it for the first time at TREEFEST
and thanks for …. awakening… THE GREAT SPIRITS…. !!!!!! …. for in NATURE…. , rests……. the HEALING PROPERTIES of HUMANITY…. ( And… the RIVERVIEW LANDS…. , and it’s magical
FOREST …. ARBORETUM…. , provides for a safe haven…. for telling the Story of this Region…. for they ( these Trees…) have stood the test of time… and have within them… ( their Roots )…the MEMORY !!!!! … And Yes the Energy…. !!!! …. to revitalise… to HUMAN SETTLEMENT STORIES… and help create also.. A GATHERING… that will see true and light…, that ONCE UPON A TIME… , IN ” HABITAT ” 76 ”.. And once again… .in 2006… in it’s 30th ANNIVERSARY…. , the HUMAN SETTLEMENT ISSUES of OUR TIMES…, IS RIGHT HERE AT OUR DOORSTEPS… …
LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING UP AT TREEFEST…!!!!!!
Roger Loubert…, Chair
Minnekhada Park Association.. and Vice President of ARTS CONNECT….
Well thank you, you know a dream of mine is to establish a permanent arts center and studio residencies at Riverview Hospital.