Speaker 1: Hey, thanks for being a part of the conversation. This
is Forest Stories. I'm the Poet in the Forest, a
children's series that I pinned out in the nineteen nineties. Now,
none of it would be possible if it wasn't for
this forest right here in South Charlotte, North Carolina. I
talk about it so much that I thought, maybe it's
time that you get to know what has inspired me
for thirty years. Thanks for being a part of the conversation.
Welcome back to the forest. So often when I take
this transition walk through this forest in South Charlotte, North Carolina,
I can't help but try to put my mind back
into the latter part of the nineteen seventies and maybe
even more, because I want to know what did this
land look like before the families moved in, before the
building took over, before everything was basically erased and man made.
I've looked for photographs, I can't find them. I have
searched for storytellers, and I can't find them. But I
sit here and I listen to these birds, and it's
almost like they're trying to tell me find your peace
in the present, because the past was before a moment
of release, meaning This land probably gives away more stories
than you could ever imagine if you would just take
the time to participate with its personal growth, meaning replenish
the forest, give yourself back to the land, and quit
taking from the land. This forest is always going to
be here. Yeah, there's a billion houses cradled up against
each and every tree. The lake is still looking absolutely gorgeous,
especially on a cold winter's day like today. But you
still can't help but wonder what did it look like?
Was the lake as beautiful as it is today, or
is its pristine look that of the human beings creation?
What did it look like before we all arrived? If
I could just find a photograph, maybe two three, just
so I can say I've been here, I've been there.
I want to share sharing the story of a forest.
It's not around. The only thing we have is our
present place of right now, just like the birds were
saying just a few steps ago. And thanks for being
a part of the conversation.