Get in Good Trouble: John Lewis


“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

~John Lewis

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Redwoods Rising

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Lone Oak

When Great Trees Fall

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

Great souls die and
our reality, bound
to them, takes leave of us.
Our souls, dependent upon their nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms, slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.”

~Maya Angelou

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Fallen

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Oak and Clouds

 

“Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”

~John Lewis

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Live Oaks and Morning Sun

 

“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”

~John Lewis

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Live Oak and Spanish Moss

 

Inspiration, John Lewis, Trees, Photography, Remembrance, Oaks,

Angel Oak

 

“You must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way… to get in the way.”

~John Lewis

 

 

 

 

Categories: Black and White, Landscapes, PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

111 comments

  1. Heartfelt tribute to a great American icon.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Fantastic. Excellent Tribute.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. What a fabulous tribute to John Lewis. Your photos are a fantastic counterpart to the quotes.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Such a wonderful moving tribute Jane. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Wow! You have a special way of seeing the world – and you manage to capture it beautifully. Greetings from Tasmania 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Yes! This is wonderful, Jane – thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Sorry I thought I had commented on this post. THIS is such a powerful post. I love the strength of the trees and how that parallels John Lewis’s fortitude. Such a sad loss for everybody who admired and loved him. Great pictures and post! The black and white and the first one are my favorites. Hope you caught the documentary 🙂

    Like

  8. My goodness, I’m speechless. This post is created so brilliantly it really talks to me. May I reblog it on Surprising Lives?

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Beautiful shots of trees, Jane. Also such reflective poetic words and quotes to go along with them. Life isn’t always easy. The least we can do is to look out for each other. Keep up the good work.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Amazing collection of trees.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Excellent quotes by John Lewis – active freedom
    Excellent photos by Jane Lurie – tree activism

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Thank you Jane for sharing your gift with us. 🙏🏻

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Beautiful pics – and important words.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I love these beautiful photos. I love taking photos of big trees especially in the morning and during the sunset.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. What brilliant quotes these are. He lived long and made such an impact, so, there’s a certain satisfaction in spite of the loss. I have not seen this Maya Angelou poem either, and what a statement! Paired with your dignified photos, the text makes a powerful tribute. Once again, you have focused our attention on something – someone – that is very meaningful. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Beautiful scenics for your John Lewis tribute. I do wonder what will happen as the great stalwarts of the Civil Rights era become so few, then none. I know we lose their wisdom, their knowledge, their experience.

    Stay well, stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’m in awe !! Beautiful picture

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Wonderful pictures, Jane, and for a favourite I agree with Harrie. As for John Lewis, I can only hope that change will come. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Wow! Stunning photographer, Jane, showcasing these magnificent trees!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. So huge trees and very nicely photographed! It is nice to see how different nature in the other side of the world. Thank you for sharing your amazing photos with us! Greetings from Finland!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. the series is really extraordinary, I really like it a lot and it is difficult for me to have a preference for one of your photographs
    On the first, all the same ….. I admire all these straight trunks, which rise to the sky

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Splendid tribute… but I tear up knowing both Elijah Cummings and John Lewis have left us to cope without them!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I’m a tree lover and they are one of my favorite subjects. These are stunning compositions and a beautiful poem as well! ‘Fallen’ is my favorite in this group.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Denise. Yes, we share a love of trees and your reaction to these mean a lot. Glad you liked the pairing with Maya’s poem (which moves me every time I read it). I hope to get back to the Humboldt State Park someday where Fallen was made.

      Like

  24. A great tribute to John Lewis with his words and the poem.

    Love your “Live Oak and Spanish Moss” picture!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Lovely and thoughtful tribute Jane…the trees have a spirit of strength and resilience…sending you joy and all good things be well 💪💛🤗and a hug Hedy

    Like

  26. Great set, Jane! Oak and Clouds is closest to me.. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  27. These are such beautiful pictures paired up with such powerful quotes and that poem! Those black and white pics are so good, plus the Angel Oak with the sun peeking in … dude. Strength in your storytelling revealing the loss of such a great leader. Well done! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. So beautiful and emotional, Jane! Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Such inspiring words and a wonderful tribute. He was a great soul, wasn’t he?

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Jane, your magical images, marry so well with Maya Angelou’s prose.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. A beautiful tribute. But with all great respect to Maya Angelou, great souls live on. They can inspire us forever.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Beautiful tribute and photos Jane. I always enjoy your posts, but this one has special meaning. Hope you and Bob are well.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Very Nice, Jane.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. What a sweet tribute to John Lewis.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Wonderful photos and poem, too, I’d never read that one before. I haven’t yet been out to see the redwoods, so it’s always kind of hard to believe, when I see pictures like your first one. All of these are striking shots, but the unusual formations give “Oak and Clouds” a kind of uncanny feeling that’s really interesting, very cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Robert. I find Maya’s poem so moving and glad you enjoyed the paired photos. I do hope you get to the redwoods someday soon – the peacefulness is overwhelming. I’m always in search of oaks in winter and this one in Napa is an amazing specimen. 😊

      Like

  36. Everything about this post is so right, so perfect. Maya Angelou! Swoon. And John Lewis – a truly good and courageous man. All interspersed with your beautiful photos. Lovely.
    Alison

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Alison, I’m so glad you found this a fitting tribute to John Lewis. Yes, his courage and leadership will live on forever. Hopefully, it will continue to inspire the change we need right now. Thank you so much for reading. 💙

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Such character in these old trees.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Lovely words and composition, such a wonderful way to honor the memory of John Lewis.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Mighty tree 🌳 has spoken , 🌱eco

    Liked by 1 person

  40. Well done. Great stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. A wonderful tribute to a great warrior. The strong trees are the perfect visuals to accompany the. powerful quotes.

    Liked by 1 person

  42. I knew what your topic would be even before I saw your title.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. So many beautiful photos, Jane!! I hope you and yours are all well. ❤️🌞

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Magnificent trees and superb quotes, Jane. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Wonderful, Jane. Your best photos and beautiful thoughts. Thanks for doing this to celebrate the life of a great American.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. So lovingly crafted, Jane, both pix & quotes

    Liked by 1 person

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