Braced By its Bark - Oct 3 2021

 

Braced By its Bark

Oct 3 3021

A stone in my shoe,

and instead of shaking it out

hopping on one leg, stocking foot in the air

I lean against the tree,

braced by its bark

in the shelter of its shade.

Thick roots elbow out

where the soil has eroded.

The sturdy trunk

ascends high into the canopy,

which is full and green

and rustles in a fitful breeze.

What is it about trees

that makes them so compelling?

Is it their size and strength?

Is it their rootedness?

A calming stillness

that radiates patience

forbearance

permanence.

Or is it the gravitas of age?

A living thing

that seems to have been here forever

and will carry on

long after we're gone.

The frost-and-thaw

has heaved up stones,

heavy rains

exposed deeply anchored rocks.

And the powerful roots are unstoppable,

shattering asphalt

breaking concrete walls.

Because the tree is not so still, after all.

It continues to grow.

It bends, instead of breaks

until the bend becomes permanent,

leaning downwind

in a smooth gentle curve.

And it continues changing shape

according to space

and sun

and resources,

even if it is too slow for our senses,

too measured

for our hurried lives.

Of course it was there for me.

Where it seems to have been forever

settled in its place.

We may think that, as animals, mobility gives us an advantage over plants. But are we able to change shape, as plants do throughout their lives? There have been several fascinating books written about the hidden worlds of plants, teaching us that they are capable of far more that we give them credit for. Not just movement of this subtle sort, but communication, cooperation, chemistry, memory and learning, and a version of intelligence – even if there is no conscious awareness; at least not in the way we know ourselves.

Although this poem is more about the spiritual balm of trees than their under-appreciated talents. And I think the heart of it is this notion of stillness and patience and timeless majesty: the feeling of calm they convey; their restorative power; the pleasure we take in their company.