SIMPLY, A BIRD

THERE IS A BIRD THAT LAYS AN EGG
THAT HAS NO SHELL.
A FACT, BUT NOT OF LIFE.
INSTEAD, THE BY-PRODUCT OF AN UNNATURAL PROGRESSION
THAT HAS ORDERED ELECTRONS
TO PERVERSE ORBITS
AND BECKONED BIRDS TO BIZARRE BEGINNINGS.

WE HOLD SOME DEBT
TO MINDS THAT HAVE RECALLED THE ROT
OF PRIMEVIL BOGS AND BONES OF COAL.
TO CARRY US, TO WARM US, TO LIGHT US
AND FURTHER RECLAIM THE VAST ENERGIES
OF SOLAR EXPLOSIONS.

BUT MINDS THAT FULLY KNOW THE CYCLES OF CARBON
AND THE CIRCLES OF WATER
HAVE A MUCH GREATER DEBT
WHICH IS NOW VERY MUCH AND ALMOST IRREVERSIBLY
DELINQUENT.

A DEBT TO LIFE.

LIFE NOT OF A CYCLE BUT CAST STRAIGHT OFF
AS A TANGENT TO IT ALL.
CAST IN THE DIRECTION OF A TREE
OR A FROG OR MAN OR BIRD.

BUT NOW OUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE.

WE HAVE SIMPLY BROUGHT TO A MOST QUIET WEEPING YET MOST PITEOUSLY SCREAMING HALT
THE ONEHUNDREDMILLION YEAR LONG
MOMENTUM
OF, SIMPLY,
A BIRD.
 -
jf 1964

Kayak

SUSPENDED

MUCH AS A DREAM 

ABOVE A SLEEPING CHILD

I LOOK DOWN

UPON PERFECT ROCKS
BENEATH PERFECT WATER

AS LOONS CALL MY ANCIENT SELF
TO WAKENING

My name is Jerry Freedner and I'm a nature photographer.

I choose the serenity and sanctuary of water, forests and mountains above the cacophony of crowds, the pace of the hurried and the competitiveness of belief systems.

As often as possible I will try to find my personal comfort in nature and be reminded of it time and again through my photographs.

I am afraid now more than ever that this planet, this wonderful and whole organism that nurtures us in every way, is losing that particular strength.  More and more, faster and faster the threats are mounting.  Just how close to the tipping point, the "no going back" point we are, no one can say.

I remember a playground game where I would climb on a see-saw that was already occupied by two kids.  I would stand sideways and I would find the perfect balance point and become the king of up and down by making a move as subtle as the tilting of my head.

The thoughts I have about the intense fragility of our earth occur more profoundly every time I'm out with the camera.  Those of you who spend time photographing nature know how vision sharpens and a quest begins for that unique and beautiful image you will bring back and share in one way or another.  Is it possible your image helped to tilt another head in Earth's favor?

Please be the lens and the eyes and the heart and the soul that become John Muir's, " flake of glass".