Robin and Sway

The standing people
stand together
in green groves
of lush life
for centuries.
On the slope of a
ridge line
a redwood and
douglas fir
stand close together
sheltered for years
by the ebb and flow
of rolling fog,
summer sunshine,
winter rains.
These two trees
speak to each other
on sunny summer
bliss days
redwood extends its
branches strait out
needles soaking
up the sunlight
in radial radiance.
The fir’s branches
are more angular,
curve back on themselves
in sculptural formation
dripping in delicate green usnea.
The fir grows taller
to catch its light,
reaching upwards
towards the source.
They grow so close
a human can step
from fir branch
to redwood branch
and back
without fear of falling,
like walking from
room to room.
The trees speak to
each other,
they say “I love you”.
The redwoods love is of
pure warm mother
earth love giving
the kind you can
lose yourself in
absorbed by kind vibrations.
The fir is more intellectual,
aloof at times
but in genuine amorousness
they make the perfect pair
a true compliment.
As the light fades
winter storms set in,
air energy rages
influencing matter
by its intensity,
storms of startled fury
rock the trees
together and apart
when wild wind blows
crashing branches against branches,
branches against trunk.
The trees are scared
by these seasonal quarrels,
raw areas mar bark
on either side
where swaying becomes
crashing and clashing
and rubbing raw,
when weathering the elements
takes its toll
and becomes weathering
each others haphazard blows
as well.
But love is not diminished
at all
and as winds subside
the trees caress
with delicate foliage
once again
tips of branches
tickling,
teasing mirth.
The trees speak
to each other.
The redwood laughs
and speaks its devotion,
“So happy to be
standing here next to you,
experiencing together
living and growing
breathing and learning,
hope it lasts forever.”
The fir affirms
“It will last forever
and beyond.”
The fog rolls in
from the ocean
blanketing the trees
in soft white moisture
and they are content
to stand quietly
in each others company,
a forest at peace.
This happy forever,
punctuated by the occasional
torrential storm,
lasts forever
until one morning
at dawn
a messenger of fate arrives
at the base of the trees
in the form of a lumberjack.
He goes about his
preparations,
filling his saw with fuel,
sharpening the blade.
The trees don’t need
to speak to each other,
they can feel each others
loves, fears,
hopes, dreams,
apprehensions.
The lumberjack
starts up the saw,
as it whirls close
to the redwoods bark
the fir quietly intones
“I love you.”
“Forever and beyond”
the redwood replies
as the lumberjack
finishes the cut.
The redwood is sliced
all the way through
but does not fall.
The lumberjack
moves to the fir
to make his next
incision.
Done with the cut
he pounds in the wedge
and both trees fall at once,
simultaneously
crashing to the ground
together
making a doubled vibration
booming through
eternity.