Talking to Trees . . .

. . .and listening to them.

The tree is a large spruce that's in front of my apartment building. There is a wide yard between the building and the road and this tree dominates the yard. I love that tree - my little bit of the woods on the busy street where I live.

One day I walked to the tree and reached into its prickly branches, spider webs catching on my arms, brushing me softly with silver threads. As I touched the needles I could hear the tree say, "You know - one day I will be cut down to widen this road."

Needless to say I was surprised to "hear" the thoughts of a supposedly inanimate object. But I was also surprised by the tree's accurate perception of its (his/her) fate. My street connects two busy thoroughfares that are quickly becoming busier. There are plans for a 250-home development, a hospital campus and an "upscale" mall just two miles away. I could see the future need for the widening of the street - the disappearance of the yard - and the tree.

It was in that instant that I realized a truth - they know more than we do. They can see their fate and be resigned to it - understand it - and maybe even understand the human folly that causes it.

I held onto the branches, tearing up, and told my tree that I would love it as long as I could.

It will be difficult to move away from the tree as long as it stands.