The Tree

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.  Some see nature all ridicule and deformity, and by these I shall not regulate my proportions; and some scarce see nature at all.  But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.  As a man is, so he sees.  As the eye is formed, such are it's powers.  You certainly mistake, when you say that the visions of fancy are not to be found in this world.  To me this world is all one continued vision of fancy or imagination."

Written by William Blake to the Reverend Dr. Trusler who had commissioned a drawing.

The Reverend took an instant dislike to the finished drawing and wrote

"Your fancy seems to be in the other world, 

or the world of spirits, which accords not with my intentions".

The words of William Blake just say it all don't they.

I found this tale in a book I turn to for inspiration.

"Cathedrals of the Spirit" by T.C. McLuhan.

Those words have filled me with resolve to finish my oak.

.....I've been procrastinating.

And perhaps I'll call it

"The land of the Mighty Oak".

I proceed with new resolve to trust my eye and my imagination.