The city, with its multitudes, its noise and its thrash has become obsolete for many, like before, when hippies strove back to nature and founded their country communes, no money but high expectations. The city has become obsolete, and it is easier than ever to leave now, laptop in one arm, child in the other, belongings in a rented truck. Nature beckons and greens, and when it gets cold, an airplane is waiting to fly us to warmer skies. Those fleeing the city are hoping for more time and community out in the country, for fewer distractions, less commerce and less plastic. And when in dearth of culture, their car soon takes them back to where they came from for a day or two. Just that nature grows less wholesome that way unless we become more natural ourselves and live with the earth rather than only out of town. I hope you will have a chance to leave the city now and then during this hot summer. And that your harvest will be plentiful should you already live close to the land.
On 17 August, it will be two years since Dieter Hagenbach left us. We miss him.
With warm summer wishes,
Susanne G. Seiler
land
his approach
to love he said
was that of a farmer
most love like
hunters and like
hunters most kill
what they desire
he tills
soil through toes
nose in the wet
earth he waits
prays to the gods
and slowly harvests
ever thankful
Suheir Hammad