One Very Sad Tree

There once was a young tree in the forest surrounded by magnificent elders.  Oh, true enough, there were stumps aplenty around. They were the remains of those gone before, cut by the cruel axemen.

Some very old trees, huge ones, lay on the ground around her as though in slumber.  They had died from natural causes and nurtured the soil she grew in.

One day a family gathered around the young tree. She watched the people closely, not quite understanding their language. She concluded, by observing their actions, that they admired her.

She was pleased. 

All of a sudden a man took a sharp axe and attacked her trunk!
In minutes she lay bleeding on the ground.  The poor tree blacked out.

When she awakened, she found herself planted in a very painful stand, sharp screws piercing into her ankle bark. She also became aware she was dressed very gaily and beautifully in baubles, bangles and bows.  

She was pleased, but confused.

As she looked around she saw herself as the centerpiece of a great room with high vaulted ceilings.  Large glass windows revealed a vast meadow covered with snow.  Beyond it she could see... her home.

A crackling fire burned on the hearth.

The young tree became very sad.  The roof above her was made from the bones of her kin.  Even worse, she could hear the cries of her brothers and sisters dying in the flames.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Cresswell Avatar
October 6, 2017 at 7:37 AM
Oh gosh this is very sad. Trees do have sentience and they do feel. It is my belief because I have experienced their wakefulness.
Flats Avatar
October 8, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Plumb forgot about this one! Those trees sure whisper at us a lot, gotta be saying something;-)
Roper Avatar
December 29, 2016 at 10:44 AM
:"( so very sad, John, but so very true . Have a Happy New Year’s and all your wishes come true… and don’t forget to eat those Black-eyed peas :) Hugs Eve
Flats Avatar
January 1, 2017 at 8:36 AM
Hi Eve. Huggers backatcha. I read your peas-PO the day you wrote it, but didn't have time to reply due to traveling.
Murray Avatar
December 29, 2016 at 5:27 AM
Mine is plastic. Fantastic.
Flats Avatar
January 1, 2017 at 8:36 AM
Yep, I like them plastic ones too! Less mess.
Smith Avatar
December 27, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Yes a tradition that needs to change. Excellent personification John.
Flats Avatar
December 28, 2016 at 7:49 AM
Fake ones are probably worse for the environment:-( cheerduckins~ j
Hauser  Avatar
December 26, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Such an interesting piece!
Flats Avatar
December 28, 2016 at 7:47 AM
one of those "just fell outta my head" things;-)
Hoffman Avatar
December 25, 2016 at 6:44 PM
Glad I have a fake Charlie Brown tree after reading this! It is a weird custom to bring a tree into ones house and decorate it for Christmas; we probably should just bake Jesus a birthday cake! Some people say his birth was actually in late September during the Feast of Tabernacles! Nonetheless, very imaginative but sad write John! ~Che :)
Flats Avatar
December 26, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Hi Che! Hope you and Charlie Brown had a good one;-). If I was in charge, we'd celebrate the holiday in July! Of course, I'd do away with snow too, so maybe that's why I'm not in charge! Cheers ~ j
Toluwalope Gideon Avatar
December 24, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Very beautiful but sad. Great use of language, Flats.
Flats Avatar
December 26, 2016 at 9:34 AM
Thank you for your comment and your visit ~ john
Vinson Avatar
December 24, 2016 at 11:10 AM
John. : ) So rich with cross-currents.
Flats Avatar
December 26, 2016 at 9:32 AM
This just popped out of no where and fell onto the page in a few minutes. Go figure. I've been looking at trees for a long time and finally one spoke? Hmmm... Thanks for stopping by! ~ J
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