nature

Tree of Greatness – Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC) Gallery

/ Tunnel Vision 8


Tree of Greatness
By Gina Gafford
Member’s Show
Photo and Poem
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County
ACCC Gallery at the Chaska Community Center (artsofcarvercounty.org)
November 11, 2024 – January 10, 2025

I took the photo of this ancient, impressive tree when I was in Ireland in September 2024. The beautiful tree is around 600 years old and resides at Blarney Castle & Gardens in Cork. The tree is called the “Witch’s Yew Tree.” The witch is a typical figure of fantastic legends in Ireland. In 2019, the Witch’s Yew Tree was voted Ireland’s Tree of the Year!

I decided to name the poem “Tree of Greatness” because I could see how the yew tree connected with the energies of the cosmos combined with what I thought defined greatness.

Tree of Greatness
By Gina Gafford

I was born
from a seed of hope

the sun within my leaves said
grow to greatness
and be a channel of
love

the stars within my many branches said
reach out with discovery

the ancestors within my trunk said
reach deep with introspection

the milky way within my roots said
make respectful connections

the moon within my sap said
dream of heaven on earth

nothing born will die


Chaska Community Center ACCC Gallery (11×14 photo)

Chaska Community Center ACCC Gallery

Chaska Community Center ACCC Gallery

Crazy World

/ Tunnel Vision 8

The more that I am on the Internet, the crazier the world seems to be. I am trying hard not to read the information on the Internet, watch T.V., or watch videos on YouTube. It’s easy to get hooked on the Internet and then realize that I’ve been on the computer for hours.

The information and energy around me can cloud my perception. Walking in nature can reset my perception. The birds are still chirping, and the sun is still shining. I need to protect my mind from outside influences.

Human beings are at a crossroads, and the world appears to be changing before our eyes. We need to use our wisdom for each decision. The only direction we need to go is toward our spirituality.

We live in two worlds – spiritual and physical. The physical mind loves information – even false information. We need to be careful about the messages we receive. Protect your mind and stay in the spiritual world.

How can you stay in the spiritual world? Connect to your spiritual and religious beliefs. Stay centered by mediating or praying. Read scripture or sacred texts, do yoga, write in a journal, and connect with your religious or spiritual community. Stay in the spiritual world by keeping your mind pure and clean – do not let garbage fill your mind.

The “crazy world” is only a clouded perception. Return to nature and your spiritual world.

Namaste, world.