The Woods, Waterless
©September 29th, 2015
By Vijaya Sundaram
Today, when I walked in the dull-green woods with The Hoddles*, brown leaves rustled underfoot, dry and disgruntled, crackling like the promise of flame without hope of moisture.
The air was still, and the sudden call of a bird or two only made the stillness more oppressive. There was no sign of life. The soil was loose, and only the entwining roots of trees held things together. I felt the panting desire of the whole place for water. Insatiate need and blind yearning were all around me — in the air, in that sudden bird-call, in the soil, in the leaves and dry underbrush. And yet, in all this dryness, the woods were beautiful — because these woods, my woods, are always mysterious and green, be it a lush green, or a desiccated, thirsty green.
As Holly and I climbed the rocky, root-twined slopes up the side of the hill (our usual route), a sudden rustle stopped me. I looked, and to my pleasure, saw a sinuous, beautiful jewel-green-and-black striped slim snake (a garter snake, I think) rustle amongst the leaves, pause, taste the air, and move on, like a trickle of water in the dust. Then, quick as a flash, it vanished. Holly, to my surprise, didn’t evince any interest, and indeed, looked the other way. Perhaps, she smelled a deer. In any case, I’m glad she didn’t notice it.
I don’t think of myself as a reptile-lover, but I loved this snake. Shy and sweet, dry and probably soft, this snake moved like a liquid jewel. She made me think of this beautiful planet, our earth, our host, our mother.
And I was sad.
For the earth needs us. Climate Change is real. If we listen to those ruled by greed and denial, we will drown in the rising seas around us, or in the dry deserts that will overtake our planet.
So … plant things. Plant trees and bushes. Drive less. Walk more. Consume less. Make things from existing things. Let animals live and thrive. Help your friends. Share. Give more. I know it’s too late, and we’ve gone beyond the tipping point, but still … I hope.
And I want to work towards another future — the one in which we might yet have a chance.
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Image from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/eastern_garter_snake.htm
*(Holly, my dog — to those who are befuddled by my reference to The Hoddles)