gunwithoutmusic | 12. Open Topic

"Reach"
119 words. Approximate reading time: 35 seconds. Audio version here.

The tree branches—
Like tendrils—
Dig through the air,
Searching for resistance
And finding none,

While their leaves—
Blessed by wind—
Tear off and fly away.

They form a tunnel,
Closing us off from
The rest of the world
And bathing us
In refracted green light.

I can’t help but notice
How perfectly it’s formed,
This tunnel of trees
Over a path worn by
Years of human feet,
Years of horse hooves,
Years of bicycle tires.

The trees are reaching—
Almost as if straining—
Out to each other
Across the path.

Rooted to the earth,
They cry out for each other,
Letting their branches
Intertwine like the fingers
Of clasped hands.

I stand in awe
Of this feeling,
The heavy sense of
Nature coming together,
Not so different
From me—
We are all connected.

I feel my fingers
Dig through the air,
Searching for resistance
And finding it,
As mine and yours
Reach over the path,
Worn by years of life.