My roots are firm into this ground. Over the years they have been exposed from harsh weather, but they are still planted holding me strong.
But I’m still standing strong…
It’s warmer now. The air thickens and the rain drops are bigger.
My branches are starting to get heavy. My leaves that once sheltered me are like little weights pulling me down. I hold strong waiting for the storm to pass, it should be soon.
I see my reflection in a little pool below me at the base of my trunk. The water from the rain is swirling around. Piece by piece the dirt that kept me grounded is coming up. My roots are starting to expose, but I hold strong flexing at my core.
The wind has picked up, it’s pushing me over.
My branches are starting to break. I take my losses and watch little parts of me go down the now rapid river. The water has now made its way up my trunk. I’m reaching for the sky with all my might.
I lose control. I don’t know where to use my strength.
I’m weak.
The only thing I have left is hope that this storm will end and I will have enough of me left.
I’m pulled down, I held with all my might, but I had to let go.
My roots torn from me, left behind.
I’m watching what I once knew so well disappear. Where am I going?
I’m floating fast. Cold, bobbing in and out of the water thrashing around, this river is rough.
Then, I stop. A heavy pressure builds on top of me. I am covered and all goes quiet.
Stillness.
Stuck.
Numb.
Strange, I am not as I once was.
A new angle.
I am down.
Calm,
I see parts of me I’ve never seen before. In my stillness, I see life I never knew I carried.
All is changing. I am changing.
What roots I still have are exposed.
I lay here intertwined in my new surrounding watching life.
I’m at peace.