Haiku: Scattered Seeds

Anthropomorphizing much? Sure…but I’ve come to think of the big silver maple as a stately lady, especially at this time of year, when her samaras rain down to earth. They’re edible, but I don’t harvest them for two reasons: (1) I have plenty of other food options and (2) I want to see the seeds germinate in the soil.

As today’s breezes blow the samaras hither and yon, I’ll be wishing them luck and hoping they begin life – just as the maple is, no doubt.

Haiku: Sights From A Line

The line was at the Early Voting station – the tree was along the sidewalk where we waited to enter the building. The beauty all around us was in full display here: maple trees had been planted near an unremarkable building that was fronted by an unappealing (and noisy) road, breaking up the inorganic surroundings with their organic exuberance. Looking up, I saw bright oranges and yellows against a cerulean backdrop…not just dull gray concrete and vehicles driving by. It was a welcome visual treat.

Haiku: Tree World

I think every person should have access to trees – to enjoy, to touch, to revere. Sadly, I know that some people don’t…and I have lived in places with very few trees, stunted creatures that did their best to survive surrounded by concrete, blanketed by pollution, and subjected to abuse and neglect. They still put forth their hopeful leaves and continued reaching toward the sun – and making oxygen for the people too preoccupied to notice them, let alone appreciate them.

I vastly prefer living, as I do now, in a place with trees. I find it difficult (if not impossible) to feel angry or stressed when looking up into the leafy canopy, shielded from the sun’s rays. It’s quiet and soothing there. Birds sing from the branches, nests hidden high above. Under the tree, it’s almost a different world.

Learn more about the health – and other – benefits of trees here.