The Word and the Tree

A discussion and discovery between two very different things

The Word and the Tree

By Robert Gagnon

1/28/2017

There was a word

Floating down the river

The movement of the water

Running to the ocean

Was enough to keep the word going

When there was depth

At one time it had gotten caught

Within a long dead tree

That had landed across the river

The tree let out an “umph”

As the word hit

Tangling itself

In some soft wet thin branches

“Who has run into me,” said the long dead tree

“It is I,” said the word

“You?” said the tree

“Yes me,” said the word

“I have been dead for 30 years

This game does not amuse me

I am tired and trying to rest in peace

Then you hit me and

You entangle yourself within me and

Play games 

I can tell you are much larger

Than just 

I

So I will ask you again

Who has run into me today?” asked the long dead tree

“I cannot speak myself

That is not within me to do

Perhaps I can satiate your desire

To know who I am

By talking to you for a while

Until the water decides

To manipulate me away

What were you like when you were alive?” asked the word

“Oh...

No one has asked me that in a long time

I will have you know

I was the fullest and tallest tree

In this part of the woods

In the summertime

My leaves were so green and soft and

In the fall

They would turn the most beautiful red

Covering the ground like an oriental rug

But do you know

What I loved the most about where I stood?” said the tree

“Please tell me,” said the word

“The way the smallest strings of fungus

Connected me to every tree

Sharing their life with me and

Taking my nutrients and sharing

With whoever needed them,” said the tree

“Why did you die?” asked the word

“Well...

A few of my friends burned

When one was hit by a bolt of lightening and

A fire spread

Then one of them collapsed

In another storm and 

My roots were damaged

I managed to stay where I stood

For a few more years after that

But then a very big storm

With a lot of rain and wind

Made my roots give way and

I toppled to where I lay today

My soul stays within

That is how I speak to you now

Some day I will deteriorate enough and

My body will be given back to the earth and

My soul will have nothing to hold onto and

Will slip away into the strings of fungus

That to this day still connect me to every tree,” said the tree

“I can feel the yearning you have

To join your collective,” stated the word

“I hear bits and pieces

From time to time

But not like I used to

Because they know

I don’t need to be fed anymore and

I don’t have much nutrients to give

But I still have some

I can feel my friends

Who burned down out there

Helping the system freely and

I feel strongly that is my place soon,” said the tree

“Not to spoil our time together

But I believe I have loosened a little and

Will be carried away in a moment,” said the word

“I understand that you have mouths to fill,” said the tree

There was a whimper from the tree right then and

It struggled to finish its thoughts

“And by God you also have more souls

To provide hope to

I haven't felt this tranquil

In so long and

So part of something

I didn't realize how much feeling

Was left inside this dead wood

I suppose you can think

It's just because I have been lonely

For such a long time that I feel this

For you

But I implore you to understand 

You have given me so much more

Than just a brief companion

I just know

You

Have something magical,” said the tree

“You are too kind and

I must say before I break free

You have shown me

I have nothing to worry about

My place is foretold and

Without you I may have fallen

Over a precipice and into a poisoned pool and

Felt I would die there

Never to be uttered by the righteous

But now I know I will go on

Because I am part of life itself and

Will be sputtered and bubbled up

From infinite pools

What you have given me

Is much more special

I've never met such a beautiful tree,” said the word

And with that a snap rang out

The word broke free

Continuing its journey

Down the river