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Monday, July 29, 2024

Thoughts about Trees


Some may notice that I like trees. 

Trees that are spaced along streets, 

shading family homes or apartment 

buildings. Trees that are lined and old, 

that show what solid means. They’ve 

given up wondering what will happen 

tomorrow and tomorrow. Apparently 

trees are sentient and know what goes on. They just keep quiet about it. 


Do they talk to the young saplings in the 

parks or yards about the neighbourhood, 

the children that tug their branches as if 

they were pigtails. The vehicles that will 

pass and spew fumes into the air that they

clean The dogs and cats that use them in 

quite an unsanitary manner, grateful for 

the rain that washes them clean. Do they 

warn them about taking on a prairie wind 

but know that, in their youth, they will 

anyway. And lose their leaves in the gamble.


Are the trees full of beautiful coloured flowers 

in spring of another class, only deigning to grow

on a plain city avenue, because they were planted 

there, or do they have a modicum of humility when 

their flowers fade and fall to be coloured snow on 

the grass. I would ask them all these questions but

their answers would be silent as their summer shade.


“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, 

whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”

~ Hermann Hesse, German-Swiss novelist and poet

1877 - 1962

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