Only One

Note:  While on one of my early morning walks, while camping in the desert, I found myself in the presence of a lone Palo Verde tree.  The moment I stood before Her an entire story had played out in my head all based on one branch that had grown quite goofy!  
Of course, I had to write it down.
I believe trees have Souls.  
I stop to touch them often when I feel the need.
If you believe "stories" can be channeled from a tree to a person, this is what this story is made of.
I hope you enjoy.  



It was only one Palo Verde tree

In a vast expanse of Arizona desert

She was so very tired 

Her solitary life had been long, hot and lonely

She tried; she really tried to keep Herself together

But there were parts of Her that just couldn’t go on

Piece after weary piece slowly withered and fell away

As massive chunks of Her Self were released

She expected Her Life to end

And there was loss

After loss

After loss …

But Her roots remained intact and …

One day something stirred deep within Her belly

A warmth spread from Her base to Her crown

From Her woody womb sprang a vibrant sprig of green

Eagerly seeking life giving sunlight

  

But its growth was erratic and out of control

Soon the delicate sprig became a wayward branch

Lacking support from its Source

As it grew far beyond its Mother’s grasp

The spreading distance created a weakness

Soon the unsupported reckless branch would snap

And join the pile of dead and decaying pieces of the past

The Mother quietly spoke, “I’m still here, just reach for Me”

The scared weakening branch replied, “I can’t!  It’s too far!  It’s too late!”

Mother persisted, “My dear Child, distance and time are only illusions  I’m right beside You  Reach for me”

The struggling wayward branch took one last painful breath

A slight tremor began at its base

Producing a tiny Sprout conceived by Hope

The delicate Sprout swiftly grew

It mightily stretched to reach the crook of its Mother’s strongest arm

Now the Sprout fueled by Hope grew confident

Because fear no longer ruled

It locked arms with the Source of its strength

The union was complete

Mother smiled

More branches sprang from this union of strength and hope

Until the new growth began to overtake the size of the dead and decaying pieces that had fallen away

It’s only one Palo Verde tree in a vast expanse of Arizona desert

If you find Her in the early morning hours, as She stretches toward the still sleepy, yet to spread warmth sun, stop and pay Her a visit.

Everyone’s welcome to sit beneath her growing shade and rest a spell.

Perhaps you’ll feel the Hope flowing from her

Perhaps you won’t

But it’s there

Oh Yes, it’s certainly there …

If you choose to feel it