I grew up marveling at the maple. I was so moved by her strength and openness. I built homes in the arms of the maple, erected castles where her massive trunk met the soft supple earth. Many a decree was uttered to the robins and box turtles from the fortified shelter that was her presence.
Thick and meandering like a snake’s body, the roots were woven in the highest layers of the earth. Her expansiveness was her way of building great foundations, forsaking the conviction required for single-minded depth. Did she wonder if the forest resented her for spreading out wide? Did she take so much earth for fear that her beauty and presence would be overwhelmed by the oak or evergreen?
In her leaves were the magic of the harvest moon, and the musty smells of a world in stillness, waiting for transition. In any moment she would set the forest ablaze in hues of red found only in birds of paradise, and oranges usually bestowed upon Southeast Asia sunsets. The Maple begged me to wait-to stay with her so that I could behold her in rapturous beauty, longing to be remembered in her most glorious moments, troubled by the inevitability of the days when the snow would fall and reveal her nakedness, imploring her to stop until she has no choice but to rebuild again.
Life with MS
4 years ago
I think I am a maple too.
ReplyDeleteWow, Alisha, this moved me to tears, for many reasons at many different levels. You can probably guess why, so I won't go into details but, the one thing I will share is that I have been writing this week about trees. I have been writing and thinking and writing about trees. Nothing I've written could compare to the beauty and angst in what you wrote but, still, I find the synchronicity a little bewildering. In a good way, of course.
You are a very, very talented writer. I am really glad Mick introduced us. I hope we'll get to meet one day....
Isn't that so interesting?! My sister and I have the same connection. I can't articulate it well, but it has something to do with connecting with the universe through being awake to life. When I meet others who are also awake I find that in large part we are having the same experiences. I couldn't escape thoughts about the maple this week-Incidentally I was also struck by the crow but haven't had the time to put the words down yet.
ReplyDeleteI love that you were writing about trees this week. I'd love to read whatever you are willing to share. What I enjoy particularly about your perspective is it's expansiveness. You are able to pull together many seemingly disparate things into one meaningful understandable truism. I appreciate you SO much!
Have a great day~
Alisha
Hi Alisha
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful writing of such depth and meaning that I struggle to capture it in it's totality. it speaks to power and forces so much bigger than us, and so true to life with all it's ebbs, flows, fears, hopes and on and on. I felt 'hope' most of all - Do you know I have a tree here, inside, her name is Hope". There is a post about her with a photo titled - "Hope - The Tree", if you acre to read it. And "thank you" for this beautifully written expression about life and hope.
Love Gail
peace.....
Gail-I am heading over to your site to look at "Hope" now. I suppose that this must be the week of hope and trees!
ReplyDeleteGail-I love your blog-I just wanted to say that...
Peace,
Alisha
Hi Alisha-
ReplyDelete"Thank you" SO much. I hope you found the post - "Hope-The Tree". And it means SO much that a woman of your depth, insight, passion and honesty likes my blog.
Love Gail
peace.....
Hi Alisha-
ReplyDeleteToday at work I facilitated a therapy group with men, inpatient for addiction. My theme was a tree. I shared with them to imagine a tree as the seed, the roots, the trunk, the branches and the leaves. ANd I asked each of them to decide which part of the tree best reflected where they are along their life's journey. They were amazing in their responses. I shared that I am the roots and the trunk because I am rooted in love and family and I am the trunk because I am able and wanting to have others lean on me. It hasn't always been this way and it will ebb and flow again. I wonder which parts of the tree best reflect you on your life's journey. I would so appreciate your answer.
Peace and love and
"Happy Mother's Day Alisha"
Love Gail
peace.....
What an interesting question. The process was meaningful for me today-thanks for an act of perfect timing and good intention.
ReplyDeleteI would say that I am roots, because my experiences are wide and meaningful and hold me up. I would say that I am a trunk because my values are solidified and hold me as one solid being. I would say that I have strong branches because I have reached out to hold many and can bear the weight of others in my limbs. I do not have leaves, though I have in the past. I am a tree right in the middle of winter-wishing for my life force and purpose to be returned. I would add that (speaking as a tree in the winter)I am learning that the tree must have faith to hold on so long without it's leaves and must trust that the time will come again where the tree can feel whole again.
In the cycle of things I feel the furthest from the spring, which likely means I am the closest to it. I want to have the gifts again that allow me to provide shade on a hot day, that allow me to drink up the sun and put it to my own growth. I want to look forward to spreading my seeds and the beauty of my presence in the autumn. I want to be in a time when I am blissfully unaware that winters always come.
Happy Mother's day to you!
Alisha
wow
ReplyDeleteHi Alisha- I tried to comment twice - once my screen froze and then my connection to Google was lost and when I re-connected my comment was gone! As they say, -
ReplyDeletethe third time is a charm". Your powerful expression of yourself in relationship to a tree is amazing. I felt your every word, intimately.
If I may? - the cycles of life are like seasons. The winter of which you write is so critical to life force. It is a quiet reflective time where one goes inward to search, define, gain strength and direction so to emerge again, ready and renewed. The Spring' season of life is a time where 'something new has entered your life, the Autumn - a time of change, and Summer - is when one has arrived at some major decision. There is no particular order they happen as we go on through life's miracles and challenges. Winter, is often perceived oddly. It i truly a vital part of the life flow. I have had very long Winter's over the years, the longest being after I finally shared that I was sexually abused by a teacher at age 11. I stayed in WInter' for almost 3 years as I redefined myself with this truth. Another was when I was abused by clergy, which if you want to know of is written on my blog in a post called "James-Daniel-Jill". I was in Wnter over a year and it was then that I believed my roots were dead, my trunk rotted and with no hope of branches or leaves ever again. But alas, I emerged, I re-seeded and I began to grow again. So Alisha, I truly understand your Winter' and your hope for the light of other life seasons. I know that for me, if I came out too soon I would have not survived - timing is everything, as they say. You will emerge and you will know when it is time for you. You have a strong and loving core and foundation from which to emerge - and you will.
With love and hope for us all
Gail
peacd