The Subtle Song

My husband has a story about an unassuming demigod on earthHe is humble and kind, unaware of his originsAnd wherever he goes, people bow to himMind you, no one knows they are bowing to himSomeone sneezesOr picks up a pennyOne ties his shoesAnother pets their dog, who is also at an inclineEven the flowers are in on the actWith the breeze gently tipping their petalsAnd so it goesAnd no one noticesBut it’s happeningResearch continues to demonstrateThat earth’s flora engages in a wide array of communicationWith kin, with companions, with usTrees have multiple channels in air and soilWarning of predators or other conditionsMycelial networks broker nutrient exchangesHouseplants know when you come homeThe world is far more alive than the dominant cultural story has allowed us to believeThat story teaches us to use flora and fauna, but not listen to themBut there are many who have always heard the song, and sing backAnd after centuries of silencing those voicesPerhaps we can begin to amplify themEven growing up in a culture marginalizing the non-human worldMost of us attune to nature from time to timeDuring a walk in the woodsA particularly captivating sunsetAnd when we do, it’s a whole body experienceBecause the song of nature isn’t singing to our thinking mindsIt is resonating throughout our natural beingThe whole of the worldSinging to the whole of usAnd in those moments when we’re at our most receptiveWhen awe and wonder are the most natural responses to the worldThe beauty of nature is on full displayThe signal of nature is cutting through the noise of cultureIt’s multidimensionality bursts forth from the backdrop it was relegated toWe are within the splendorInstead of walking through itI believe we’re in for more of these momentsAs we slow downAs we attuneAs we acknowledge and respectThe nonverbal languagesRelentlessly singing the song of beingOnes that we sing, tooAs we bow to the holy all around us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fallingtenderly.substack.com