Earth Touchings 3

In gratitude I bow to this land and all of the ancestors who made it available
Thich Nhat Hanh
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this is an amazing land
it heals souls and lifts spirits
it is a land of soaring heights
and great depths
it is a land of forests and plains

and many feet have trod its ground

it was the homeland of the Nez Perce

and some believe the term Wallowa’s means “winding waters”
referring to the many rivers and streams
that flow through the valley
(Others think it refers to part of a fishing weir used by the Nez Perce)
For years the feet of those native to this space
Touched the land
And the people worshipped and cared for it
Then the settlers came (not a particularly honorable moment in history)
But for years they too
cared for the land
those who live here are moved to care for it
for the energy of this land is great
it touches the deepest part of one’s self
today I honor this land
the mountains that touch the sky
the clear laughing water
the fish and deer and elk
the bear and the other animals of the dark forests
who hunt and prowl
one cannot walk this land
and remain untouched
one cannot walk this land and deny
the Sacred
may this always be a land of joy and peace
and may we learn to live in harmony with it
and protect it
as it protects us.