It was only a Birch one would say, no it wasn't only a Birch it was almost as a member of our family.
English
The sad story of the Birch
This letter was given to our neighbors.
Unfortunately we have to cut down the wonderful Birch that stands outside our house.
It has followed our family the 10 years that we have lived here.
The birds are loving it, it has given us shelter from the sun, shadow, quietness and calm.
It is with deep grieve we now have to take it down because of environmental crime; someone has poisoned it - drilled a hole and filled it with Roundup..
The Birch has slowly died this summer.
We have chosen not to report it to the Police.
Instead we have chosen to transform the tree to a Menhir to remind everyone about what happens when we forget to talk to each other.
The Birch-Menhir will have a little poem on a plate.
We will round up with a ceremony and a Funeral feast.
Everybody supporting the initiative are welcome to participate to tidy up around the tree and to join the ceremony and the Funeral feast.
We are also planning to create a fund to plant fruit trees around in the neighborhood.
More info on the website: www.hjertevarme.org
Kind regards from
Ivar, Kristin, & all the girls.
Wanderer
Wanderer
You, who pass by and may use violence against me,
Think before doing me harm.
I am the warmth in your fireplace in cold winter nights,
the kind shadow protecting you against the sun in the summer-
My fruits are refreshing to drink, and quench your thirst
when you are on your way.
I am the supports upon which your house is built,
the table in your living room, the bed in which you sleep,
and the timber from which your boat was built.
I am the handle of your hoe, the door into your house,
the wood under your cradle, The wood of your coffin.
I am the Bread of Mercy and the Flower of Beauty.
You, who pass by, listen to my Prayer:
Do me no harm.
This poem is engraved in the brass plate placet on the Birch.
About hjertevarme.org
Each and one of Us has the power to change the world.
Most people think this is a too big and unmanageable task.
To change the world is not about doing everything at once. We all have the chance to do something. Tasks are confronting us all the time. Each and One of Us must Dare to try.
The good powers have to discover each other and cooperate, then changes will occur.
hjertevarme is Norwegian for "warm-hearted".
hjertevarme.org was founded in 2006/2007 by
Ivar S. Hj. Eidem og Kristin Follerås
- to inspire people to listen towards the centre of their heart and practice "heart thinking".
We're practicing!
Ivar S. Hj. Eidem og Kristin Follerås