After the August 2020 derecho, Laura Weber, former Prairiewoods associate director and retreat coordinator, expressed the emotions and powerful energy of how the storm impacted the lands and life at Prairiewoods. She used deeply expressive language like the “Gentle giants of unwavering peace” to describe the trees.
I was especially enamored by the last two lines. Here is how the poem ends:
“And I sing a soft requiem
But no creature hears
Because my soul has withered
With the life of the treesUnless my tears
Might water
A sapling”—Laura Weber
(Read the full poem here.)
That last phrase really spoke to me … how could my grief, the tears from my emotional expression, provide growth for others?
I reflected on that idea and on a short drive to one of my favorite area nature hikes, a simple song blessing popped in my mind.
It is called “May My Tears Water a Sapling.”
Patricia Norton, creator of a fabulous podcast called “A Breath of Song,” shared my song on episode 149. Patty Piotrowski created the beautiful artwork that goes along with this episode. (See above.) You can listen to the podcast here.
May My Tears Water a Sapling
May my tears water a sapling
May my life support its growth
May we walk with care and healing
for new life upon the earthMay our breath move with the Spirit
flowing free around the earth
May we listen to the sunshine
and feel the Moon reflect our worth—Mary Cohen
Outside singers (non-incarcerated choir members) from the Oakdale Community Choir (now disbanded because the current warden will not allow it to restart) performed “May My Tears Water a Sapling” at the Anne Frank Tree Planting Ceremony on April 29, 2022, on the University of Iowa Pentacrest. You can see this performance that begins with a powerful spoken word piece by Jhe Russell at 1:14 on this YouTube video.
The message of my song is about living in right relationship with Nature. It is about feeling our inner-worth as we interconnect with the beauty of earth, the moon, the sunshine, and the Love of the Spirit. When did you last visit Prairiewoods in person to seek this type of deep connection? Plan your next visit today! If you cannot physically get to Prairiewoods right now, check out the online programming including “Go Deeper Thursdays” from 4–5 p.m. Central Time. And find your own way to practice your connection with Nature and growing balanced and right relationships with Nature.
I welcome you to share “A Breath of Song” Podcast with others, and to check out episode 150 where Patricia Norton interviews me and I share another song I wrote, “The Change,” based on Gandhi’s be the change you wish to see in the world.
—Mary L. Cohen, PhD, Prairiewoods board member
sapling art was created by Patty Piotrowski to go along with the podcast episode