DEDICATIONS: Partiality to one man

I was only ever inspired to write one dedication and it was to the man who so rightly told the story of the soul group named Wildness.

This was after reading Eliot Porter’s “In Wildness Is the Preservation of the World” copyright 1962.  I picked it up for a few dollars at a library sale in a small town in Florida.  It is a rather tall book as if written for a tall order.  He captured in photographs what Thoreau captivated in thought.  Thoreau’s language is colored by Porter’s pictures on every page.  He chose the title from this passage:

“The West of which I speak is but another name for the Wild, and what I have been preparing to say is, that in Wildness is the Preservation of the World.  Every tree sends its fibers forth in search of the Wild.  From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and barks which brace mankind….”

On page 164 Thoreau speaks of the ‘Great Artist’ painting and hanging a picture for us every day.

My interpretation of that is not only does God paint us a picture every day but he spreads upon his table whole pastures of wild grasses, wheat and barley for our sustenance.  We are never served at his table without flowers adorning our vision.  Wild orchards provide drinks and the deep forests entertaining shade.

On page 160 he eloquently clears our cobwebs speaking of snowflakes being the “the sweepings of heaven’s floor.”

My thoughts of these feathery ice crystals are that He could have just made them into haphazard pieces or just round or square, but He didn’t.  His intention was to mesmerize.  As if he used a unique and intricate cookie-cutter to shape each snowflake.  They tumble and fall from the heavens piling together to keep warm and transform the scenery into a grander representation of His generosity.

There are many other authors who have dedicated much of their time and patience to Wildness.  I will serve them a portion of my time later.