A Conversation With a Tree

You may think this is a little crazy but I think of it as more carefree When the other day I found myself having a conversation…with a tree. This tree stands next to the ocean…and when I saw him I had to grin There was an eerie beauty in the way he stood. The way he was influenced by the wind. I said, “You look a little old and weathered.” The tree replied, “That is true….I have a few wrinkles on my bark but then again…so do you.” “I’ve lost most of my leaves,” he said, “as year after year has passed me by.” I smiled as I leaned against his bark…“That’s funny…so have I.” “But look how strong you still are,” I said, “Even after all the storms that you’ve been through.” The tree chuckled and I felt his laughter. “But then again…so are you”. “I like to think I’m still beautiful.” the tree said as he let out a deep sigh… “Oh but you are .”I answered quickly…“and I like to think…so am I”. “What is your secret to a full and happy life?” I asked the tree “what do you recommend?” “The key for me”, the tree replied “lies in my ability to bend”. We talked a little while longer about our branches About our trunks, our crowns…our roots About how we love the wind and the rain and other shared attributes. As I walked away I stopped, turned around then waved and smiled at that old tree… And I can’t be sure but I think I saw him wave and smile back at me… And I remember thinking as I left him gently bending by the sea…. How lucky and proud I was that day…to have a conversation with a tree.