Plant a Garden of Hope & Dig for Healing

We sneaked out to the mountains to catch some rays on Saturday, for the "May Gray" has descended again here in San Diego. Basking happily, another friend who made the drive asked the collective to remember how long we have been sunless on the coast. (A long time, we concurred, definitely more than a week!) Today though, and back at home, as my eyes squinted against the glare, I noticed that the fragrant flowers and herbs of dawn and dusk are soothing all day long this time of year, and there is something particular about being outside near to the ground amidst this synesthetic rainbow of intensely saturated, smelly colors. I planted something new and vibrantly purple, a gift from a friend, and I felt so lucky to be working this urban plot outside my rented bungalow. I was trying to imagine how I will feel when I am ready to walk away, having left the place better than I found it, but abandoning so many plants to survive under an unknown someone's or, worse, no one's care.

Then, the song by Leon Rosselson came to me. I have pasted the words (as transcribed by Seedstar) and an audio link to the original version below. Despite what might seem an unhappy ending to the digger's tale, the song offers comfort. While I take so much personal joy in the practice of planting and tending, I often feel impatient. I want to see the signs of broader, social healing that extends beyond me and my (hokey-happy-hippie) intentions. The words to the song, if you haven't heard them in a while, relate a transcendent historical moment when a group of folks were brave enough to improve the land without the promise of permanence or ownership.

I am convinced that a peaceful solution to the global condition will have to be equally and radically, spontaneous as well as simple. What do you think?

THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN by Leon Rosselson

(**Open Link in a New Window & Read along to His Audio Version)

In 1649 to St. George's Hill
A ragged band they called the Diggers came to show the people's will
They defied the landlords, they defied the law
They were the dispossessed reclaiming what was theirs.

"We come in peace," they said, "To dig and sow.
We come to work the land in common and to make the wastelands grow.
This earth divided, we will make whole.
So it can be a common treasury for all."

"The sin of property we do disdain.
No man has the right to buy and sell the earth for private gain.
By theft and murder, they steal the land;
Now everywhere the walls rise up at their command."

"They make the laws that chain us well;
The clergy dazzle us with heaven or they damn us into hell.
We will not worship the gods they serve:
The god of greed that feeds the rich while poor men starve."

"We work, we eat together, we need no swords.
We will not bow to the masters or pay rent to the lords.
We are free men, though we are poor.
You Diggers all stand up for glory; stand up now."

From the men of property the order came:
They sent hired men and troopers to wipe out the Digger's claim.
"Tear down their cottages. Destroy their corn!"
They were dispersed but still the vision carries on.

You poor, take courage. You rich, take care.
This earth was made a common treasury for everyone to share.
All things in common. All people one.
"We come in peace," the order came to cut them down.

Link to This & Other Audio Versions