If you walk into the forest
There stands a tree
A beautiful, bold, beaming tree
You might say to yourself
“This is just a tree, just like the many others around it”
But there are things you do not know about the tree
The tree is very giving and kind
Breathing life into the animals and beings of the forest
Providing fruit for the squirrels, rest for the birds
Providing shelter for the owls, shade for the creatures of the ground
Expecting nothing in return
Seasons come and go in the forest
The tree continues to give
The tree is also witty and loving
The creatures of the forest are drawn to its playful nature
The tree welcomes all, familiar or new, large or small
A new visitor has come
Curiosity flows from its roots to its leaves
The tree greets them and friendship is born
A new connection has been made and excitement ensues
There is something else you may not know about the tree
It is one of many trees in the forest
It stands in a corner of the forest surrounded by many others, all different, all unique
Some smaller, some larger
Some more full, some more bare
The tree often fears the creatures of the forest will leave for the other trees
Is the tree providing enough?
Is its fruit sweet enough?
Does it stand tall enough?
What if the other trees stand taller and leave it with no sun or rain?
The tree often drowns in doubt and fear from the forest
There is one thing the tree does not know
It is indeed giving, playful, and kind
It is indeed flawed, flawed just as much as the other trees in the forest
Bark is breaking, leaves are falling, fruit is rotting
Its flaws however fuel its beauty, and individuality
The tree fits in its own way into the ways of the forest
where every root, soul, and life of the forest are connected
