Steve Younger
Spiritual by Nature
As long as I can remember, I have always loved trees. Our Dag van de Kinderspiritualiteit (2022) took the theme ‘Spiritual by Nature.’ These are some of my photographs from the day and my paintings this year as I have encountered trees and forests.
The Albertinuum, Nijmegen Venue for our Dag van de Spiritualiteit 2022
A lone oak. Survivor of a long-gone generation, patient sentinel, living monument, witness to passing centuries, a landmark for the lost, and a shelter for the weary. What combination of farm and forest cull, of good fortune and favour, left you standing still? Who will care enough to leave you standing still?
Misty Oak
Autumn Path
When first I walk an ancient forest route, I like to let companions forge ahead and turn a corner, out of sight, until their voices fade. Then, if I still myself enough and guard the silence long enough, I can listen, just below heart’s beat, for those who have walked this way before, for those who have paused to watch companions forge ahead.
Through the dark. Surrounded. The blanketing silence of ghost trees. Treading quietly. Careful. Watchful. Anxious. Cautious. Flickers of movement at the edge of sight. Whispers of presence at the edge of sound. Echoes of shadows. Feeling forest ‘s breath closing in behind. Sensing a pulse that is not mine.
And into a clearing.
Forest Clearing
At the edge of the Forest, between the farmed and the deer-cropped land, laps a flower shore. Bright with colour. Heady with scent. Busy with bird-song and bee-buzz. A place to walk slowly through waves of colour, fingers trailing.
Poppy Meadow
Seasons
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Beyond the Forest
An indefinable change, a subtle shift in the forest scents. A nuanced whisper in the timber sounds. Through the forest comes the smell of cool water and wave-lapped shore. Bird songs change, brought in by winds that push through the branches, ever stronger, ever louder. A last push through the forest’s curtain to stop where wood and water meet.
Stand awhile, listen, to the forest behind to the sky above, to the sea ahead. A place, a moment, without human noise. Stand awhile, listen, to the past behind to the present above to the future ahead. An instant without measure, without human movement. Stand awhile, listen
Stand awhile,
Stand.
Reflections
Summer Meadow
Never far from the forest
Kincaple Fields
Cherry Orchard
Pollok Park
Mighty oaks...
...from little acorns grow.
Winter’s End