I grew up on a hobby farm in North Branch, Minnesota, studied Environmental Science at Cornell College, and now am working in Social Services and am on the board of Prairiewoods. I love exploring all the different ways of connecting to nature, which is why in my ideal world, I would want it to be like the Boundary Waters. I am lucky to have wandered to many different corners of the Earth; however, I have only felt true peace in the Boundary Waters. The quietness of the ecosystem working together and the respectful awe that the humans have for nature is astounding. I wrote this poem, My Ideal World, and decided to add this picture I took while in the Boundary Waters to go along with it. I urge you to consider what your ideal world is like, and what you can do to make the changes in your life to begin to come closer with that world.
My Ideal World
I see a world where nobody hurts
Where nobody fights
A world that everyone can walk without looking behind them
Where everyone’s rights and needs are met
I see a place that is beautiful
Where everyone is happy
A world that works together to get things done
Where humans and nature work together
I remember a world where I could imagine
Where the moss grew tall
A world that I was safe in
Where the squirrels were faster than my dog
I remember a place that had purpose
Where every day was a new adventure
A world that promoted critical thinking
Where the forest and the grass and the water shook hands
I found a world where nothing is fair
Where money controls everything
A world that hates
Where it’s hard to find friends
I found a place that has no color
Where nobody sees the truth
A world calling for help
Where nobody is listening
—Marin Noska
Marin Noska is a Prairiewoods board member and is looking forward to attending Spirituality in the 21st Century: Hope in Action April 26–27. This year’s event features Susan Bauer-Wu, Ph.D.; Rev. Veronica M. Johnson and Leah Rampy, Ph.D. Learn more at prairiewoods.org/spirituality-in-the-21st-century.