To the attendees at the Slow Money NC Spring 2017 Gathering…
We are here to make sure
there is asparagus in April,
and tomatoes in summer,
and broccoli in the fall.
And oyster mushrooms growing magically
all year round indoors.
We are here because in a time of peak oil,
of peak everything…
we will still need to eat.
And so will our neighbors and our friends
and our loved ones, and hungry strangers at the door.
We are here, not out of fear
(well, maybe a bit fearful – only occasionally panicked)
to create the now we want to live in.
A today with abundant fields and thriving sustainable farmers,
with children named “Meadow’ and ‘Rye.’
We are here because we like the taste
of fresh, locally grown food.
We are here because we tried fresh, free-range eggs fried in local butter,
and we smiled and said “I want more of that.”
We are here, not out of fear
(well, maybe a bit fearful – only a touch terrified)
to create the now we want to live in.
We are here looking for connection –
because here is our tribe and we belong.
We speak a common language of goodness and generosity
to the land, and to one another.
We speak asparagus, blueberries, honey bee, lavender, chive, kindness, respect,
and compost, worms and soil.
We are here to make sure
there is asparagus in April,
and tomatoes in summer,
and broccoli in the fall.
And oyster mushrooms growing magically
all year round indoors.
And kale – the greatest teacher of them all.
In winter we brush the snow away
and there she is.
What’s left on a sunny February day starts growing again
to become another meal in March.
Kale never gives up.
We are here to make sure
there is asparagus in April
and tomatoes in summer,
and broccoli in the fall.
Today I am here to gather you around me
… thank you for coming.
and neither does chard…
~ CPH
