The Trumpeter - Journal of Ecosophy (Athabasca University)

Caley, Michael T.

Cover and Contents

Lescheid, Elizabeth Anne

 
The Trumpeter  
ISSN: 0832-6193 
Volume 24, Number 2 (2008) 
 
Four Poems 
Elizabeth Anne Lescheid 
 
 
 
 
 
Elizabeth Anne Lescheid is a freelance writer, nature and outdoors enthusiast 
and environmentalist. She was introduced to Deep Ecology while doing her 
major research paper for her MSc degree at the University of Guelph. The 
paper is titled "Nature and a Deep Ecology Perspective: From Theory to Real 
Life". 
Poem for Lake Superior  
 
This landscape  
has gone 
under my skin. 
 
Its many waters 
have become the blood 
coursing through  
my veins. 
 
Its rocky outcrops, 
that determined part  
holding fast 
through storms. 
 
Its winds and calmness 
an expression of 
patterns of 
my mind. 
 
And I know  
that  
I will always  
be  
a part of  
it. 
The Trumpeter 70 
 
 
 
And I know 
that 
it will always  
be 
a part of 
me! 
Volume 24, Number 2 71
 Learning from a Pond  
 
Part One: Specifics 
 
A lone lily pad, 
searching for the light, 
reaches the surface 
from the depths below. 
 
Struggling its way 
through murky water, 
its message is clear: 
persevere. 
 
Part Two: Generalities 
 
We are frail 
and fleeting as  
morning mists: 
swirling and churning 
over dark water, 
writhing about as  
hot sun burns  
away. 
 
We are strong 
and constant as  
glittering depths: 
tranquility 
below the moving, 
rippling surface of 
cool green pools 
that stay. 
 
Existing; 
this same 
paradox  
for eternity. 
 
The Trumpeter 72 
 
 
Liquid Messenger  
(For the Bow River in Calgary)  
 
 
 
The river is calling, 
giggling its message 
in happy reverie. 
 
Beneath an icy sheet, 
chortling and singing, 
contentedly it moves. 
 
Weighted with melted snow, 
Continuing on  
Celebrating springtime. 
 
Pelted by summer storms, 
bubbling without fail 
in spite of harsh weather. 
 
Covered with fallen leaves, 
carrying their weight 
merrily on its way. 
 
Never stopping in anger, 
Never questioning why, 
continuing flowing on 
through the decades 
bringing life 
and joy  
to all  
who care  
to listen. 
Volume 24, Number 2 73
The Trumpeter 74 
 
 
River of Life 
 
I am a river 
flowing towards 
the great Sea. 
 
Now, I dance 
madly,  
with much turbulence 
around and over  
rocky pathways. 
 
Now, I glide 
smoothly, 
calmly meandering 
here and there across 
wide, flat plains. 
 
Now, I join 
others 
and become 
one  
of the great  
powerful rivers 
of the world 
and nothing 
hinders me 
and nothing  
stands in  
my way. 
 
Now 
I am 
Now 
I am a part 
Now 
I am a part of 
This greatest river of life. 
 


Four Poems

Powell, Robert

 
 
Notebook Entry: On a Flight Over Canada 
 
Robert Powell   
   
1. 
This vast surface crumpled below us, at once  
careless and timeless, like morning bedding. The  
hills composing it dull-brown, dull-green, khaki – 
the colour of a uniform jettisoned in the snow by a  
young soldier in 1943 and found at dawn. Absent  
without leave, like this landscape. 
 
 
2. 
From the air, memory like a surface. Fast-moving  
cloudshadow articulating its shape, height from  
depth, depth from height. The prehistoric war-  
wounds packed with white --- strange hospitals, lake- 
shaped. Charges at you in broad day, light from night. 
 
 
3. 
He only wanted to see his mother. In his dream ran  
across the railway tracks, her hands surprised,  
drying themselves once again on the old apron of  
the past, the land. His face thrust into it and its  
shape filled with ice --- with distance, photography,  
and ice. 
 
Volume 24, Number 1 152
 
 
Volume 24, Number 1 153
4. 
And so we look for what was, its ever-changing  
certainties. Shaved seasons in their wilderness paled  
by snow. Ten million trees without leaves seen from  
on high and now. Beckoning, they stand in the  
middle of everywhere, like each of us. 
 
 
---from HARVEST OF LIGHT  (Stone Flower Press, Ottawa, 2007) 


Notebook Entry: On a Flight Over Canada

Maly, Kenneth

Finding Our Undamaged Ecological Self: Dolores LaChapelle as Reminder

 
 
The Trumpeter  
ISSN: 0832-6193 
Volume 24, Number 2 (2008) 
 
Editorial 
 
The Trumpeter is a journal of ecosophy. Ecosophy is household 
wisdom (oikos + sophia). Ecology is household logic; that is, the parts 
and processes of the household (oikos + logos). Economics is 
household laws; that is, the rules that govern the relationships of the 
parts and the processes of the household (oikos + nomos). Psychology 
is the soul (feeling) of the household (oikos + psyche). 
The ‘household’ in question is comprised of all the natural systems of 
planet earth. Every householder, in this case, we refer to all of the 
natural systems of planet Earth as a household, ought to understand the 
components, processes, relationships, and rules that operate. Wisdom 
must follow from rather than precede logic, laws, and feelings. From 
this we understand that the role of the Trumpeter is not to publish 
articles of ecology, economics or psychology as self-contained 
disciplines, but rather articles that seek the emergent wisdom that is a 
synthesis of ecology, economics and psychology, in which these 
disciplines (and others of course) become part of something larger than 
themselves. 
In the past few years, we have published the canonical works of Arne 
Naess and insightful commentary on Paul Shepard’s wisdom. The 24-
year history of the Trumpeter has been an exploration of evolving, 
emergent wisdom. 
Learning the components and the processes of a household is relatively 
easy and once learned the components and the processes can be passed 
on to others. Learning the relationships of the parts in the processes 
which are the rules of the household is also relatively easily learned and 
taught. Understanding the soul of the household arises from the 
experience of interaction with its local components. 
We use the models of scientific investigation to discover the 
components of ecosystems both biotic and the abiotic to create 
knowledge of our environments. Paleolithic humans learned the 
wisdom of their particular households by growing up and living in 
them. As keen observers of the seasonal habits of the flora and fauna, as 
Volume 24 Number 2 1 
The Trumpeter 2
well as the abiotic aspects of their households, they integrated 
themselves almost seamlessly into their particular households—they 
felt them. 
Discovering the natural laws that govern in the flow of energy and 
materials through ecosystems allows us the privilege of integrating 
human societies into natural systems in different ways. However, it has 
not and does not allow us to ignore logos, nomos, and psyche. The 
option to use the knowledge gained to control the flow of energy and 
materials has failed miserably. Climate change over the past 100 years 
affirms this, with a vengeance. This approach assumes that our 
knowledge of the components and processes is sufficient, of itself. 
Economics, over the past decades, has been based on the assumption 
that we do in fact have such knowledge. 
Wisdom, as I stated above is an emergent property of human 
knowledge based on the information gained from the study and 
experimentation of the components, processes, and laws of natural 
systems combined with long experience living in those systems. In 
essence, this is the argument proposed by Wendell Berry and others for 
sustainable agriculture. Other writers have proposed similar arguments 
for sustainability of human populations in a variety of conditions. 
Since wisdom is an emergent property of the recursive interaction of 
knowledge and experience, it cannot be taught in a manner analogous to 
teaching logic and laws. Knowledge acquisition requires a finite 
amount of time. Therefore, one must live long enough to acquire 
significant knowledge. Experience goes hand in glove with the 
acquisition of knowledge. Experience of living in one or more 
ecosystems is necessary for the emergence of wisdom in later stages of 
life. However, a person may have great knowledge and little wisdom. A 
long life does not guarantee that wisdom will emerge. As Barbara 
McClintock would say to her students, “You must have a feeling for the 
organism.” 
The Trumpeter relies on the emergent wisdom of its authors who have 
acquired both the knowledge and experience through living in a variety 
of households. In this issue, the essays received brim with wisdom of 
knowledge and experience. 
Michael T. Caley, Associate Editor 
shanshui@shaw.ca 
 


Editorial

 
 
The Trumpeter  
ISSN: 0832-6193 
Volume 23, Number 1 (2007) 
 
Editorial 
 
Welcome to Issue 23-1 of the Trumpeter.  
Early in 2006, after several chats with Bruce Morito and Alan 
Drengson, I became the associate editor of the Trumpeter. Bruce 
remains as editor and Athabasca University is continuing to host the 
journal. As associate editor, I will take on nearly all of Bruce’s duties. 
As I learned those duties, and while Alan, Bill Devall, and others 
finished the multiple issue opus on Arne Naess’s work, the Trumpeter 
changed its publication support system to the Open Journal System. It is 
a new system to us and there are a few bugs to be worked out; if you try 
to log on and are unsuccessful, please email me at the address below 
and I will edit your account.  
In this issue, Mark Schroll provides a chronicle of conversations and 
significant publications that define the origins of ecopsychology, and 
Espen Gamlund gives a Spinozistic reaction to the question of who has 
moral status. 
We have three narratives: 
- David Thomson explores the perils of vegetarianism and 
gardening, 
- Ian Prattis proposes a mechanism to overcome global 
environmental crises, and 
- Freya Matthews leads a wonderful conversation towards 
“ontopoetics.” 
This issue includes four poems, Anne Mareck’s “Desolation,” and three 
by Daniel Boland, “Migration of the Monarch,” “Two Moments in 
Winter,” and “The Hermit Notices the Arrival of Spring.”  Stephen 
Cook has written a tribute to Delores LaChapelle. In books, Lorelei L. 
Hanson reviews Derrick Jensen’s Endgame, Volumes I and II, and 
Tony Weis reviews Jeffrey Masson’s The Pig Who Sang to the Moon. 
We have also included announcements about two new endeavours: 
Volume 23 Number 1 1 
- Amaranda is the new European journal of Ecophyscology, and 
- The Institute for Inquiry is Casey Walker’s most recent 
endeavour to approach big environmental problems. 
Please visit these sites and support their work. 
As I undertook my new role, I suggested that we honour ecologists and 
ecosophists with special issues of the Trumpeter devoted to their lives 
and work. 
Following this, the next two issues of the Trumpeter will celebrate Paul 
Shepard. We have some unpublished papers by Paul and an amazing 
photobiography by Flo Shepard and her daughter Kathryn Morton. A 
re-worked paper by Joe Meeker describes working with Paul, and we 
have new works by Fred Bender, Steve Chase, Jorge Conseca-Sevilla, 
and Gene Halton, among others.  
We are also planning a special issue (possibly two) celebrating the life 
and work Delores LaChapelle. If you would like to contribute to this 
issue, please contact me. The deadline for submissions is November 30 
2007, with a probably publication date early in 2008. 
If you have any suggestions for future special issues, either on specific 
topics or to celebrate the life work of a particular person, contact me at 
the email address below. 
 
Michael T. Caley, Associate Editor 
shanshui@shaw.ca 
 
The Trumpeter 2 


Mareck, Anne

The Trumpeter  
Volume 23, Number 1 (2007) 
ISSN: 0832-6193 
 
Desolation 
 
 
The road here is not two-lane.  
There is no traffic. No stop light, no 
street light no flashing red hand 
telling you to stop no quik mart no  
parking lot no payphone no  
straight white line down the middle of the pavement 
no pavement. 
 
only       mountains 
 
                              mountains         
 
                                    cool      evening    mountains 
 
                          gray     river willow shadows 
 
 
    the long,    white    wail 
 
 
       of a swan 
 
 
 
 
 
Anne Mareck 
 
The Trumpeter 96 


Desolation

Cover and contents

Taylor, David

 
 
The Trumpeter  
Volume 23, Number 2 (2007) 
ISSN: 0832-6193 
 
Full Moon Northwest Sky 
(for Paul)  
 
The last three mornings  
the moon has lingered  
 in the western sky, 
circular,  
icy,  
though the mornings have been warm, 
resting, 
changing from yellows and blues  
 to reds and whites. 
Nothing  
really lingers in the sky, 
constellations spiraling  
for eons, 
 the moon in its regular orbit. 
Nature, ourselves  
live in whirls, 
from cell  
 to whale, 
 stone to teardrop. 
This moment, 
suspended 
by the full moon’s passing, 
all the stories our body tells, 
born from cycles, 
 that we are. 
David Taylor 
Volume 23, Number 2 85


Full Moon Northwest Sky

Cook, Stephen G.

 
 
 
The Trumpeter  
ISSN: 0832-6193 
Volume 23, Number 1 (2007) 
 
 
Tribute to Dolores LaChapelle 
 
We recently lost an extraordinary teacher and pathfinder. Dolores 
LaChapelle, Colorado native and renowned eco-philosopher, wilderness 
guide, and writer, died on January 21 in her beloved San Juan 
Mountains.  
Dolores’ life was marked by an insatiable appetite for unitive 
experience and for analytical wisdom. What she learned she vigorously 
shared through writings and workshops and friendships, affirmed from 
her alpine home of Silverton, Colorado. At the intersection of psyche 
and spirit and Earth and sky, she asked the ancient questions: “Who am 
I?” and “How can I find meaning in this alienating culture?” Trained as 
a historian and with a staggering breadth, she migrated among depth 
psychology, physiology, economics, ecology, Chinese science, 
ethology, ritual, linguistics, bioregionalism, Taoism, the evolution of 
technology—and more.  
And she lived this relational philosophy of co-creation (though I don't 
believe she used that term), a world view with a more dissolved ego and 
forged connections to place. Dolores walked as lightly upon the land as 
possible in this industrial growth society. I should also mention that she 
shared her adventures, for many years, as the wife of Ed and the mother 
of David. 
Early on, from a childhood, nature-mystical experience, she learned the 
practical benefit of living from the entirety of her being—and thus, 
living in the flow. She refused to be confined to the rigidities of the 
neocortex (and all the institutions flowing there from). She remembered 
through powder skiing of course, but also through advanced Tai Chian, 
rock climbing, long dance and chant, and through rhythm and rituals of 
place and of time: always going deeper and always teaching and 
sharing. 
Dolores was one of the first writers in deep ecology. She taught the 
need to move beyond mere concepts when discussing issues of 
environment and culture. One needs to develop an ecological identity, 
Volume 23, Number 1 97
an ecological self. Tapping into the older levels of ourselves allows 
emergence of feelings of reverence for all of life. “Tuning” she called 
it. This is the life of a deeper realism and of nurturing the Soul. Deep 
self respect for living in this manner equates, in turn, to profound 
respect for the gift of this Earth. Her landmark book, Sacred Land, 
Sacred Sex, Rapture of the Deep: Concerning Deep Ecology and 
Celebrating Life, encapsulates her life’s work. In it she demonstrates 
how a generation of children raised in a natural, place-based manner, 
can effect profound change. She wrote other books on ritual, skiing, Tai 
Chi and one concerning the life of her literary guiding light, D. H. 
Lawrence. 
When I last saw her in late September she had slowed perceptibly, but 
every morning she would join her neighbours in a simple and most 
meaningful ritual: sitting on the porch and warming her body naturally 
in the Sun. Scarf wrapped tightly over her head, sweet grin on her face, 
she knew life was good.  
Rest well, fair mountain wizard. You will be dearly missed. 
Stephen G. Cook 
Denver 
 
Call for Papers 
The Trumpeter is planning a special issue (or issues) to celebrate the 
life and work of Delores LaChapelle. The deadline for submissions is 
November 30, 2007. The special issue(s) will appear early in 2008.  
Michael T. Caley, Associate Editor  
 
The Trumpeter 98 


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Cover and Contents

Four Poems

Notebook Entry: On a Flight Over Canada

Finding Our Undamaged Ecological Self: Dolores LaChapelle as Reminder

Editorial

Editorial

Desolation

Cover and contents

Full Moon Northwest Sky

Tribute to Dolores LaChapelle

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