The Tree Simply Existed

the tree simply existed. every spring he would blossom and bloom and then he would let go. over and over and over again he lived a little and died a little.

he grew some days and broke some days. he spent some time weeping and other times he spoke of living and laughter and a love that was never-ending.

sometimes he reached for the sky, every limb outstretched and yet barely touched the surface of its skin and other times you could not see where his branches ended and heaven began. the tree felt mighty when the birds came to find shelter in his arms. singing him to sleep and keeping him company during the longest hours of the night.

but there were some nights where darkness was overwhelming.

where cold was bitter.

where no one came to visit or nestle or curl up underneath all that he had to offer.

but he stood there nonetheless with his hands open. his heart wide. his spirit full of endless stories to tell.

and so he began to speak. at first it was just to the wind. and then the sun and the stars, whoever would stay to listen.

he spoke of yearning and hope and many thunderous encounters.

he spoke of dread and endurance and all of the times that light had come to sit on his shoulders. and the wind told the sea and the sea told the sky and the sky opened up and danced at finally knowing that he was not the only one. he was not the only one. - the tree is you.

~ 'the tree' by ullie-kaye, Ullie Kaye Poetry

~ Art by Jeanie Tomanek