A BRIEF TASTE OF THE WILD
by contemplativeinquiry
I took these pictures one recent evening in the wetlands of Alney Island, on the River Severn at Gloucester. It felt dark and broody most of the time. There was a threat of rain and storm though not the actuality. The feeling-tone suggested raw nature and remoteness: a place where I as a human didn’t exactly belong. Boggy land and turbulent sky were elementally indifferent to me and my concerns. I was simultaneously inspired and edgy.
Then the sky changed and I changed with it. I noticed the sun. It was declining but that didn’t matter. It was signalling its presence to me from a suitably safe distance. Comfort and familiarity returned. I was on a small reserve in the middle of a city. I had lost a moment of wildness and gained a perceived security. Being human, I both took the deal and wondered about the possibilities I may have abandoned..
Contemplative Inquiry 
I like this short reflection – it evoked quite a bit – specifically “Boggy land and turbulent sky were elementally indifferent to me and my concerns.” My hubby and I recently had a discussion about similar themes. My view is that ‘nature’ is indifferent generally – but it is my animist/pantheist beliefs that imbue it with compassion, empathy and so much more. I was discussing how I see many modern ‘new age’ eco Earth defenders (no idea what to collectively call them) as embracing Pagan systems and paradigms but without any ‘spirit’. I think this leaves a void… what I’m thinking is that their interest is scientific and factual whereas mine is not – it’s about feeling, sentience and more. My example is the Lovelock Gaia hypothesis which many people embrace – but it’s scientific – ‘she’ is just another nature entity. But for me, if I think at all about Gaia, She is a Goddess…
All this from your few words. Thank you for sharing.
(Wasn’t sure if my comment registered so this may be a repeat)
Thanks for this comment. I’m not sure that my views are entirely sorted on the points you raise. I vacillate. As far as that evening walk is concerned, I at first felt alone and far from shelter (not objectively true) and then experienced the sunlight as friendly. This doesn’t make a lot of sense – it was just my immediate process.