tree of life
This is my favorite tree. Actually, I think of it as my tree, though it is nowhere near to being mine, it being some 30 miles away and all.
Still, I have claimed it, at least in my heart. It stands in the middle of a farm field. I’ve always wondered how that comes to be, one lone tree left guarding all those seedlings, offering the best perch for miles around.
I’ve never gone to sit beneath this tree, though I would like to. I’m fairly certain the farmer wouldn’t appreciate me trampling his crop, and so I resist.
But I sit there in my mind, enjoying its shade and wondering how it came to have that finger pointing straight for the sky. Secretly, I’m glad I don’t know. Secretly, I know it means my tree is a survivor. It’s much larger than it appears to be in this picture, and I want to know the stories of the years that formed this anchored, ancient witness. Stories of hope and disaster, good years and bad years, floods and drought. I get the sense that if ever there was a tree that needed hugging, it is this tree.
I bet it remembers every Spring.
Scarred but not broken. Standing tall while bending with the wind. Rooted in one place as time marches on.
Yes, this is my tree.
I’ve got this quilt and this basket and this book, and if you squint a little, you can see me there, whiling away the afternoon.
May 24th, 2012 at 8:58 am
If you can find out who owns the field, you could send them this piece in a letter.
May 24th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Wow, Wow, and Wow! First of all this capture is incredible. I love trees too, and when you find one that makes your heart sing…well that’s the best. You must go see that farmer and tell him you want to take your quilt, basket and book (and camera!) and visit his tree. How could he/she say no?? I can’t wait to see this tree is various seasons! Perhaps you’ve done this, but I’m a new follower so I’ve probably missed out on those posts! Love it!
May 24th, 2012 at 9:07 am
This is one of my favourite photographs of yours…and how beautiful to have captured “your spot” so that you can go there anytime you like with your quilt and your book. We all need a special, sacred place that we can call our own.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:11 am
I think you should go to that tree and when you get there give it a hug for me, too.
May 24th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Well, I teared up at this post, couldn’t help myself. Nice. Maybe now I finally get shel silversteins book, as someone gave me that book 14 years ago.
May 24th, 2012 at 10:29 am
yes. i can see you there, listening to the stories the tree is telling you.
this is amazing.
May 24th, 2012 at 10:51 am
I’ve often wondering about lone trees in the middle of a field too. Love this image and it really does look like a finger pointing skyward.
Some think I’m weird but I’ve been known to give small trees a hug to help them grow. :0)
May 24th, 2012 at 11:54 am
that is a wicked cool tree…i love old big trees like that…was sad when we had to cut one down at my parents place…really cool pic ma’am
May 24th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Beautiful, Kelly. Lone trees speak to me too, and for many of the same reasons. If I lived in your area, that would probably be my favorite tree too. =)
May 24th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
When you visit it and it shares it wondrous stories I’d love to hear them :).
May 24th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
[…] to set the course mine to choose a destination mine alone to keep fueled and stocked and […]
May 24th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
‘i bet it remembers every spring’, yes, i bet it does. i am surrounded by trees, huge OLD trees that the lumber barons of northern Michigan missed. i often think of the stories they could tell. i would sit and listen intently of their life.
in fond regard, Tilda
May 24th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
My new favorite. Love this.
May 25th, 2012 at 12:05 am
i have a pond that isn’t mine….yet i call it mine….so i understand. completely !!
May 25th, 2012 at 8:15 am
What a find! This is the lone tree of all lone trees in fields. Love how it points up to the sky.
May 29th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Trees are what I miss most about Ohio; they’ve always inspired a similar sense of wonder in me. Though I don’t have a special tree of my own any more (our old Oak at my childhood home had a disease and needed to be cut down a few years ago), I would like one. Thanks for sharing yours!