And there I was, alone amongst the trees, or so I thought.

A quiet, almost imperceptible voice beckons me,
I follow her.

Lonely wood moaning in pain, lonely wood wants to talk to me.

Lend me your ear, walking friend.

“I am here, mother,” I say, not sure with which wood I am conversing.

Oh, it pains me so! My roots grind against stone, the birds nip at my bark, by branches reach for sunlight that is out of reach!

I locate the tree calling my name. “What could I do for you, my dear?”

Please cut me down, I cannot bear it any longer. I wish to no longer feel pain.

Oh my sweet summer child, I beg of thee. Destroy me do what you wish with my corpse!

“Oh my darling cedar. I'm sorry you feel pain, I feel it too. My heart aches for another to love me, and so I hid in the woods so that I might not be found.”

Why would you do that? you could go anywhere, speak with anyone!

“Because to feel pain is to know that I am alive.”

But don't you wish for it to end? Don't you wish to be free from it's chains?

“To die is to simply delay the pain, Whether we are born again or not. If I were to cut you down, another hickory might take your place.”

Silence in the trees.

Well, then I suppose that I am glad that you are here.

“I'm glad too, let us be in pain together, not so we are not alone, but only so.”

And we hugged, for a long time. And we both felt love in our open hearts.

~ Lewa 💚