Kathy took these pictures at Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park. The Sunwapta River flows from Athabasca Glacier and the falls plunge over a hanging valley left by receding glaciers about 8000 years ago. The path down to the overview above the falls is unique with the tree roots playing an integral role in the stairway. The “staircase” is a product of human and nature wearing the surface. With the help of the stairway, I got closer to the edge than I usually do.
I wrote the following poem to accompany the pictures of the and borrowed the title from a more famous group, Led Zeppelin. I took time to read about the meaning behind the lyrics. It appears to be a statement about money not buying one’s way into heaven, whatever one might think that is.
Gnarled and gnarly,
Wending its way upwards,
Nature’s stairway
Revealing beauty.
Gaining confidence,
Moving safely,
Finding my way,
Fuller, richer.
Nature awaiting,
Golden rays find space–
Guiding steps,
Shining on each step,
On a ‘highway to heaven.’
For those who want to compare my poetry to that of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, here is a version of the video.
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
Perhaps some of the steps we leave behind in our writing and speaking will someday help another to climb a rocky surface and see beauty in the world. We can only hope.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Perhaps some of the steps we leave behind in our writing and speaking will someday help another to climb a rocky surface and see beauty in the world. We can only hope.
I hope we can each make a small difference whatever that might be.
WHAT AN EXCITING PARALLEL!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
“AND HE’S CLIMBING THE STAIRWAY…TO HEAVEN!!!!!!
I was/am
Haha, not comparing. We all have unique perspective. Really enjoyed the photos. So much beauty in this world! 🙏🌎🤗
There is. Nature is an amazing artist.
Indeed!
Surreal root system, beautiful images and a good poem.
Thank you David. Nature is an amazing artist.
The roots are gorgeous.
It is amazing what a wonderful artist Nature is.
Yes, a highway to heaven.
I like these photos.👍👌