Who will Shelter the Trees
Creative Works… 214
by Naomi Hogan
As I wander through the sun I look around for something not reflecting, Refracting this deathly blaze. The tree stoops low a ways ahead. As I stumble towards her shade, I see her spindly shadow inching towards me. I exhale as I sink beneath this beautiful contrast, Sheltered for a moment as my thoughts re-solidify. I look around me as I can finally see without squinting. I am grateful for this bark, For these shriveled leaves. For the sunlight, that though it kills me, It feeds the trees. She has feasted to her root’s content; the sun warms her soul. Then forced to absorb more and more. It beats and bends her. Her branches revived me after a while. The cool seeped into my bones, and I can stand tall once more, ready to face the next chapter of my journey. But as I stand tall, The tree still stoops.
