The Wonder of Kopegaron
Kopegaron Woods
“Say not, ‘I have found the truth’, but rather, ‘I have found a truth’.
Say not, ‘I have found the path of the soul’.
Say rather, ‘I have met the soul walking upon my path’.
For the soul walks upon all paths.”*
Persephone has been fair-dancing here in Essex County for nearly three weeks now. With her arrival there has been an uptick in trail traffic. I see folks walking along, scopes and notebooks in hand, necks craned to the treetops, searching for birds and, all too often, tripping over partially exposed tree roots or uneven ground. I see my peeps, cameras in hand, gazing downward, searching for wildflowers, snakes, toads, mice, rabbits, foxes and missing entirely, the birds above. I see young’uns power-walking, arms pumping, ear buds in, oblivious to the beautiful avian chorus and completely annoyed by the rest of us meandering along. I see mums, pushing all-terrain strollers, heads bent together, talking oh-so-softly so as not to disturb their infants’ naps, not noticing anything at all around them. And I wonder…
What is the relationship between nature and each of these walkers? Is there a melding of purpose and experience, a common recompense on some level? Have any of them met the soul walking upon the path? How aware is each walker, of just how interconnected they are to this woodland? In the simplest of terms, the trees give off the oxygen we breathe in, and absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale - a true symbiotic partnership that has spanned centuries.
Watching everyone negotiate the trail on this lively day in the forest, I realised that each of them is weighed down by their personal load of lived experiences. Many are managing to move through life by keeping their focus on their circumstances to the exclusion of everything else, including this beautiful woodland. But perhaps, regardless of their preoccupation whilst walking, this path does connect with their hearts.
Today my walk was through a tract of our beloved Carolinian Forest at Kopegaron Woods. Although this is an eighteen hectare property, the loop trail is only about 1.25km - an easy, fifteen minute stroll. In this tiny space, people, animals, birds, trees, shrubs and wildflowers collide - all breathing the same air, all misshaped pieces in a metaphysical jigsaw puzzle. Today, this path and these august woods are my partners in photography.
Last September, during my first visit, Kopegaron was a peaceful spot that gave off a spiritual vibe due to the majesty and magnificence of the huge, old trees. During this, my second visit, and despite all the other visitors, I experienced the same serenity as I did the first time. The Carolinian Forest has trees that are centuries old - some of the Black Gum trees are even approaching 500 years old - and with that much history, it’s no wonder they possess such an undeniable aura. The giant, old growth trees, seem to be demanding that we pay attention to and protect this incredible legacy, temporarily in our keeping, so that it might continue to enrich the lives of generations of Canadians yet to come.
There is a remarkable symmetry in the development of a tree - above and below the ground; a tree simultaneously grows both upwards and downwards, neither progress limited by the other. Above the ground it seems to reach for the sky with every ounce of its being - searching for sustaining sunlight and rain. Below the ground, the roots stretch ever wider and deeper searching for mainstay and sustaining fountainhead. Now imagine, in an old growth tree, that ontogenesis occurring through multiple centuries! There is natural beauty of form arising from such balanced proportions that inspires respect and reverence. It teaches us a metaphysical lesson about the immensity and otherness of the natural world.
In the heart of Kopegaron, I have found a truth but, as anyone who studies nature quickly realises, any new tidbit of learning merely serves to illustrate how very much remains to be learned and observed and the spiritual patience required to reach that goal. The quest is infinite, but… Whilst on that trail, there are no demands on my time - no doctors’ appointments, no food charts, no chores - only serenity. As William Bartram wrote, I “flee the seats of envy and strife, and seek the retired paths of peace.”
Walking through this woodland lifted my spirits and I was filled with wonder - a spiritual gift powerful enough to polish my tarnished winter soul. My takeaway from today’s interlude: My friends who are solidly attuned to nature - Randy, David, Larry and Annie - all negotiate their life paths with an exceptional and enviable assurance and steadiness - stability that I envy, but I know that today’s walk took me one step closer.
So how did my trail accomplices fare today? Back in the parking lot - dismantling and stowing my gear, I (very discretely, promise!) observed two of them: The power walker, ear buds missing, was stretching beside her car (ohmigosh is she lithe). Just before she got into her vehicle, she paused gazing into the woods, drew in a long breath and then the tiniest of smiles teased on her face. One of the young mums was also in the parking area, stroller already in the trunk, toddler now wide awake and wobbling around on his adorably pudgy legs when he tipped over. He was about to cry, but Mum quickly scooped him up and tickled him under his chin with a sprig of wildflowers that she’d obviously plucked on her hike. Crisis averted, giggles all-round. The forest’s guerdon is different for each of us, but no one leaves untouched by its atmosphere and magnificence. The power walker and the Mum seem to have found a truth and met the soul along the loop trail today - at least I hope so!
’Til next time, y’all…
Wildflowers of the Day:
(Snow Trillium)
(Springbeauty)
(Trout Lily)
(Wild Violet)
*Kahlil Gibran, Page 57, “On Self-Knowledge”, from The Prophet, his iconic collection of part poetry, part prose fables. Full poem below.
The Festival of Persephone (Greek Goddess of Spring) is 3rd April and this year, here in Essex County, our temperature soared to 18℃ that day.
“Say not, ‘I have found the truth’, but rather, ‘I have found a truth’.
Say not, ‘I have found the path of the soul’.
Say rather, ‘I have met the soul walking upon my path’.
For the soul walks upon all paths.
The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.”*