How does a tree heal? I see sap pouring from her bark. Are those tears?
We heard the screams one Sunday morning. The girlfriend asking in a violent shake, “Why?!”
I see the leaves on the figure of stretching bark change, drop, and die. Is that her transformation?
Did she know he would do this? It was planned. He bought the new rope early on, we would later learn.
Courageous Cottonwood that survived the moonshine journey while her relatives in town were slaughtered for apple tree orchards. This is what you bear witness to, our mistakes and our wounds.
He tied that rope to her and took his life. How did she feel? The bird sanctuary of branches violated. The laughter of children who danced underneath her silenced.
When a river receives a drowning, she can wash her tears down stream to be swallowed by the ocean. Grief is swallowed by the sharks, but where will the grief sit for a tree?
She grew so tall in the high desert, tapping deep into springs that feed unique invertebrates. She is an icon in this mobile home and trailer dirt road subdivision. She shows the mesquites the possibility of touching the sky, and yet she must carry a pain so deep that I mourn for her.
I wonder, will they cut her down. Will they plant flowers beneath her? Will children give back the love and laughter they shared?
How does a tree heal?
Armida, this is devastating. I want to say I like the way we see the tree’s point of view, but like is not the right word. I don’t know what the right word is. This is powerful and devastating and I don’t know what else to say.
Sometimes the words are not necessary. Thank you Stephanie
Wow sis. This piece is so very deep and true. I felt the truth and perspective of the tree relative and the pain felt by all experienced. Where and how do we let the pain go? Love this so much 💕
Indeed. I am still healing from the trauma, but even the tree does not hold it in.
Dear Cousin I feel your sadness. I want to say your story has touched me in many ways. I’m now in silence, may god bless you and help heel your soul. Blessings to all ❤️
Thank you cousin ❤️
I just read this again. I still don’t have any words, but this piece has done something to me. Maybe it’s the recent suicide of Anthony Bourdain or the shitshow going on in our own country. Somehow it elevates the pain to a higher level. Thank you again.
Stephanie, thank you.