Sometimes by Herman Hess

I love the following poem so much that I just had to share it with you.  The words are so special, so meaningful.  It speaks to me of a time, so long, long ago, when man lived close to nature, and  man consciously viewed   all life  as interconnected. This was  a time when all life was sacred. Man and all other life forms--plants, insects, stones, rivers-- were powerful allies connecting in a heartfelt thought form to communicate what was best or necessary for all species. Our ancestors performed rituals in sacred groves of trees to ceremonially connect with the divine. They knew the power of nature. We were all a part of the Great Mother from whose womb all of life came forth and to whose womb all life returned at death.

So, close your eyes. Imagine yourself living during the time of your ancient ancestors, before the days of computers, cars, cell phones and television, a time when civilization young, and people lived close to nature. Imagine, if you will, the magical forests through which our ancestors followed winding paths, fairy folk and nature spirits stirring amongst the oaks and elders. The veil was thinner then, and spirit and man lived side by side.  Nature was alive and mankind revered her.


I like to believe that Herman Hess’s poem describes what it used to be like:

Sometimes, when a bird cries out,

Or the wind sweeps through a tree,

Or a dog howls in a far off farm,

I hold still and listen a long time.

My soul turns and goes back to the place

Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,

The bird and the blowing wind

Were like me, and were my brothers.

My soul turns into a tree,

And an animal, and a cloud bank.

Then changed and odd it comes home

And asks me questions. What should I reply?

Herman Hesse

Wishing  you all a great day.