IN RESPECT OF NATURE

Noris Cunaccia

I love my land, the mountain where I was born, from the valley up to the pastures, from the undergrowth up to the peaks where the vegetation thins out. Being the first to walk on the grass or the clean and compact earth gives you a sense of primordiality, of being the first human being to face the world. And looking back at your footsteps is like confirmation of having been there. Leaving your footmark, evidence of your presence and, in return, being certain of existing, of being in harmony with nature and a part of the entire universe. Rambling, walking for the pleasure of walking, where the mountain water flows and peace reigns supreme, calms the heart, reassures the mind, deadens all sensations and sounds, focusing attention on the surrounding landscape and what is outside the physical “me”, in tune with what is real and yet fantastic. I chose to gather wild herbs out of passion. It is a traditional activity and calls for hard work and sacrifice; it stems from awareness and recognition that these plants are gifts that nature has given us to look after and conserve. And when you approach a plant being born, a seed germinating, a flower opening up to the light of day... you must move in on tiptoe, showing respect and contemplation. Otherwise, the flower crumples in an instant, the bud breaks.