Ode to a Natural Naturalist
A few couplets about an insightful fellow way out there in the hills. | by David Imbrogno | november26.2023
EDITOR’S NOTE: I view TheHartoftheMatter website and newsletter as a collective effort. The aim is to lift up enriching encounters, reactions, homages and Things Learned through visits, conversations, friendships and good times shared with Bill Hart, a most intriguing human being who has led a notable life in interesting places. Below, elder brother David shares an ode inspired by visits to Hartsville. (Harts Town, the Village of Bill, Hartistan, Hartopia, Hartslvania?) I invite pitches from others wishing to add to this Hart of this Matter thingie we’ve undertaken. Email me at: douglaseyeATgmailDOTcom. ~ Douglas John Imbrogno
EYES THAT REFLECT BACK
by David Imbrogno
‘STILL LIFE WITH SUNFLOWERS’ | theHartoftheMatter colorized photo | september2021
Visiting with Bill
Sitting in his backyard
Hungry birds formed a line at his bird feeder
Some chose to seek out the original source
Harvesting fresh sunflower seeds
From the sunflowers Bill planted last Spring
We talked about Bill’s lettuce, tomatoes
And other garden edibles that surrounded us
We also talked about wild edibles
As well as things such as
Which flowers precede the arrival
of hummingbirds in the Spring
‘NATURALLY SO’ | Collage of Bill Hart and David Imbrogno | theHartoftheMatter photo | august2023
Perhaps the most entertaining exchange
Was about how Bill keeps the coyotes at a distance
Using his guitar and homemade amplifier
An amplifier he built in a cigar box
with 99 cents worth of electronic parts
Bill’s set-up not only rattled the windows in his house
But shook the leaves on trees for a mile around
It is a good thing Bill doesn’t have many neighbors nearby
Bill is a Naturalist
You don’t become a naturalist, you just are one
You can be a city-dwelling Naturalist
Or make one’s home in a mountain hollow like Bill
‘THE YELLOW DOOR’ | theHartoftheMatter photo | april2022
What is a Naturalist?
For the sake of Bill’s reputation —
If any of you friends of Bill don’t know what a Naturalist is —
A “Naturalist” lives a life interwoven with nature.
(A “naturist” is a nudist.)
I am pretty sure that Bill (usually) keeps his clothes on in the woods
For over fifty years, I have lived and worked in nature
I held on fiercely to my first official recognition of what I was
With the job title “Park Naturalist”
Even when they tried to call me Director, CEO
And other fancy names.
‘OUT STANDING IN HIS FIELD’ | theHartoftheMatter photo | april2022
Still, after a lifetime of
Wandering the worldwide wilds
Every time I visit Bill
I learn something
Usually a bunch of somethings
How do I know Bill is a Naturalist?
It isn’t just his way with garden edibles
Or his friendship with wild plants and animals
… even though he likes to terrify Coyotes
With his guitar and 99 cent amplifier
The reveal comes when
Bill turns his face towards you
While talking about his world
‘OLD HOUSE, OLD BOOTS.’ | theHartoftheMatter photo | august2019
Similar to many of his wildlife neighbors
Bill’s glance can be a little furtive
But when you catch his gaze you see
Eyes that reflect the never-ending questioning and searching
Of a true Naturalist
Finally, Naturalists like Bill
are compelled to share their experiences
And insights into the natural world
That is why if you look closely
You will see that Bill’s Naturalist eyes
Reflect back far more than they take in
Hey Bill. Are you still around. It's late as as usual. I really need to let you know something important. I'll handle it. I know you probably aren't recovered from Thanksgiving. I spent mine alone nothing new, however learned some pretty insightful things. I'd thought about doing a paint pouring for you. I had 1 canvas enough gesso however my paints which I thought I had 4 bottles out of 200 left, turned out they must have been thrown out. I even have the silicone. Just a few drops that combination is at allows the veins of color and unique swirls to do their thing. I had the perfect shades of earth tones and was going to try A slight gold drizzle with the tiny amount. I had exactly what rather how I wanted it to turn out. Some say it's almost impossible to get a "control" pour with this. I actually have several ocean scenes that took quite a few practices. Several of which you had found my discarded and included with one of your incredible hand made. Greetings friend. Miss you sorry others robbed good times that should have been spent with a great friend. I'll handle that situation as well. Blessings T.