Strange how quickly things can change. One day there's this sign silhouetted against dark clouds and a few days later, the sign is gone. Dartmouth College recently announced that it was permanently closing its golf course. It's a common destination for walking and since COVID it's been a go-to spot for many. The rapid action took me by surprise, though. The benches & the platforms on which they rested were gone just a few days after the announcement. It seemed so sudden & sad. I'm not a golfer and I hate the toxins that are used to kill weeds, but endings are hard, especially for those whose livelihoods depend on the course. But during the past few days, Calvin and I have visited the course frequently, noticing changes more subtle than a missing bench or sign. Grass grows on the paths & in the sand traps, slowly reclaiming the land. Like soldiers, the Milkweed march into the lawn and stake their claim. Soon wildflowers will do the same. Like so many transitions, the losses for some are benefits for others. Trade- offs abound right now and I am curious. First, I am curious about how quickly the college was able to dismantle the structures on the course. Is that kind of rapid adaptation something we are all capable of if given clear direction and leadership? Second, I am curious about the process of land reclaiming itself. How long will it take and what will it feel like? It is strange to know that this grass will never be so short again & that the green layers will disappear. What
will it be like when the only mowed path follows this dotted white line & is surrounded by tall grass, wildflowers and crickets? |
Lyn Swett Miller
reframing the narrative, one day, one image at a time Let's ReFrame: By Degrees
A place where photographer Lyn Swett Miller considers wonder, joy and transformation in a complex world. Archive
September 2021
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