the day I could no longer ignore litter

I have so many memories of this place. I used to walk barefoot for miles around here while the mind spilled out across the landscape. This was the first time I became obsessed with collecting litter. I want to tell you that I’d always been litter conscious but that wouldn’t be true. There was a very specific moment that changed me: over those months I’d hiked up & down Dinas Bran, there were so many times I couldn’t see where I ended and the land began. Back in those days there were still old rusted beer cans piled against this old god’s shoulders. At first I didn’t even see the rubbish but one day I realised it had been burning a hole in my mind for what seemed like forever and this epiphany gave a jolt of connection so intense I suddenly itched & scratched to be rid of the litter like a dog with fleas. The next day I returned with an armful of bin bags & a friend and we cleared every last beer can away. It felt so good. Like I’d just had a deep cleanse. Ever since then I cannot bear the sight of litter, it literally jumps out at me whenever we’re out – as if the land is pointing it out. I suppose what I’m saying is that I’ve realised how important it is to find & maintain this connection so that I work from a place of love for the land, not judgement of others. Having said that, if I saw someone dropping litter I’d give them such a row ??.