Tree and Me

By Gary Walker

I imagine if I were… a grand Pine tree,
One of many in an endless sea of Kelp-like, Conifers

And what it would be like to have and feel my skin of bark,
And roots as feet

Branches and needles as arms, hands and fingers,
Pulpy sinew and sap as muscle and blood…Oh! What it would be like

Standing tall and strong yet flexible,
On a blustery, sunny day

Brisk autumn winds bellow before me, Sweeping across the vernal scene
Causing dry, tan colored grasses to dance in the crisp mountain breeze

This same breeze fluidly caresses every centimeter of my exposed being,
Gliding over every contour of my patterned bark…around and over every dendrite needle finger of my countless hands

My top branches reaching , - child-like, towards the heavens,
While my roots burrow down, deep, to Hell…

As above, so below…paradox

Yes, I’ve seen the years and seasons come and go like puffy white cotton candy clouds,
And I’ve the rings to prove it…

But more than that, When you needed a natural melody, I sang songs and watched over you
Why, You’ve even heard the hissing, rustling and clapping of my hands, together with wind created sounds, not heard in the city

And what’s more, when you needed a lift, something to inspire, I danced for you. Oh, how it must look to see me in my shimmering leafy gown…quivering, quaking, undulating in the invisible breeze…naked glory

Dancing for you…Only for you, my love

This tree, me, is easy to see; because like you, I’m always changing with the rhythms of life,
As seasons, cascading Niagara-like, over the edge of time, into…Light,

Everywhere…Colorful, warm, radiant, Light
And so my life flows, unstoppable.

Pushed or drawn, I mostly know not.
And my leaves fall. My life unfurls.