Bending, bowing and turning.

This fallen and twisted tree brought to my mind the words of the Shaker dancing song Simple Gifts.

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

Tune and lyrics written by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848, at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine.

You can hear the song and learn a little more about the Shakers here.