Manchage Manexit: What does it mean to be here?

The three interpretive signs in this middle section of the trail, "What does it mean to be here?", invite reflection from the point of view of the trees, those have come before us, and the land itself.  They follow the three levels of understanding and introspection introduced in earlier panels¹.

Click the images on this page for a larger version of each sign.

Shown below, the I am budding sign in this series includes the following text:

TO BE SEEN
Manchage Manexit Reflective Trail

Waxing moon: Magunutche nepauz
What does it mean to be here? 

Be the trees...

What does it mean to
be a tree? 

What have they seen, 
lived through,
experienced?

TOH A QUOMPI?
(when?)

How do YOU depend
on the earth
around you?

MANUNNUSSEK
"be patient"

What are YOU doing
in return?
What are YOU
offering?

--
The text in this sign is arranged creatively throughout the page, with alignment that prompts the reader to slowly consider the words. The two phrases in the Nipmuc language -- "TOH A QUOMPI?" and "MANUNNUSSEK" are larger than the rest of the text on the page, making them stand out more.

The I am sprouting sign, shown below, includes the following text:

TO BE SEEN
Manchage Manexit Reflective Trail

Waxing moon: Taquattin nepauz
What does it mean to be here? 

freezing moon [text forms semicircle around winding lines that depict waterways]

How many people have
passed by; walked this
land?

do you see their history?

CHEQUNAPSH.
(be patient.)

do you feel their presence? 

LOOK BELOW YOU. 
What does it
mean to be a visitor?

What exists on
this land that
is not 'natural'?

--
To the left of the first question, "How many people have passed by; walked this land?", the words "do you see their history?" and "do you feel their presence?" are juxtaposed atop a curving line that runs from the top to the bottom of the page. As before, the Nipmuc phrase, "CHEQUNAPSH. (be patient.)" is larger than the other text. 

To the right, the I am growing sign in this series includes the following text:

TO BE SEEN
Manchage Manexit Reflective Trail

Full moon: Negonne michokat nepauz
What does it mean to be here? 

Can you recognize the land?

NOTICE.
What can you hear?
What alerts your
senses?

SMELL.
Does the scent enter
your nose with scents
of the past, or are
they new?

Does the land speak
fondly of your history?

Does it know peace with
your presence?

--
With formatting that is relatively straightforward, this sign prominently features the two sections that call the viewer to consider their senses -- "NOTICE." and "SMELL." -- while concluding with two powerfully reflective questions.

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¹The signs follow the three levels of understanding and introspection as introduced in earlier panels. "Ribbon I - I am budding" is symbolized by a hand closed with the pinky finger outstretched; "Ribbon II - I am sprouting" shows a hand with the two smallest fingers outstretched and the thumb closed over the pointer and index fingers; "Ribbon III - I am growing" shows a hand with all fingers closed except the index finger, which points assertively upward. 

Back to the full trail description

1. Introductory panels
2. Panels 1-3: "What does it mean to walk the trail?"
3. Panels 4-6: "What does it mean to be here?"
4. Panels 7-9: "What does it mean to take this place with you?"