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Writer's pictureHilda Van Netten

The Only Life You Can Save

When municipalities take the long view, conserving important natural areas, it warms my heart. I imagine generations to come, stepping out their doors and enjoying and being restored by this beauty. Beauty and restoration for all.


There was a warm light this afternoon when we introduced our adventuring friends to Millbrook.


A little Mary Oliver is in order to accompany today's walk.


The Journey


One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,


though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice --






though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.





"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.






But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,






though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.





It was already late enough,

and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.





But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,


and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,





that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do --





determined to save

the only life you could save."









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