Stand Tall
“Stand tall”, she says. “For you need to grow.”
“Reach deep,” she adds.
“For in the depths you will find your strength. Be one with us all,” she concludes.
For an old woman, Mother sure does talk a lot. But she is correct. I am small and weak, for I am new. I bend with every gust of wind that hits me. This is not strength. So I dig deep. I reach down as far as I can and drink from the waters that flow. From there, I get sustenance.
I reach high into the sky and stretch and as the waters flow through my veins; the sun calls to me and I grow.
There is much sound around me calling for me to exist and flourish. The animals ask for their shelter. The hoot owls and other birds demand my protection and support. Yet, I am still small. So I dig deeper and reach higher.
As time passes, I grow. I fill out and become strong. I become one with all around me as do my brothers and sisters. And Mother continues to watch over us all.
She continues with her song of growth and beauty and I finally find the notes to harmonize with her and join in.
I am not alone, there are more like me. We each branch out and touch the sky and share our bounty with each other. For it is our role to continue to safeguard this place. This place that others wish to save from the cruelty of the ignorant.
It is our place on this planet to build and live in harmony. So we grow and share with all.
The rings of time follow me as I age and more and more of us become part of this expanse.
With us comes hope. With us comes life. With us comes a future that we can all live in. For I am TREE.
