In his Canticle of Creation, St. Francis of Assisi addressed the sun, moon, and other creatures as his very own siblings: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and so forth. This makes sense to me.

Cypress trees can be either brothers or sisters. It depends on their location, size, and “presence.” This one is the largest and oldest growing in Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, La. (aka Lake la Pointe).

To me, from the first encounter, she is not just a sister, but a wise old woman, a crone if you will. So when I needed a title for this photo, I googled “spirit of the swamp,” and found Nana Buruku, a figure from Yoruba religion.

And every time I see her, I am reminded of Richard Rohr’s statement: “Matter is, and has always been, the hiding place for Spirit, forever offering itself to be discovered anew.”