the ash tree 

I didn’t realize in autumn
when the leaves of summer 
were dancing on the wind, 
that this would be her last 
fall and winter, her limbs left
exposed to bear the bitter cold, 
I wonder now if she had already 
left before the first frost, 
for I had only known her
a few years, when her once lush 
raiment had already thinned…
I never rested in her shade
on hot, sunny summer days 
never saw her in full bloom, 
memories of nested fledglings
taking first flights, learning 
to bend with the fiercest of tempests
were things I could only imagine,
her bones exposed now against 
a beautiful sea of green, even now
the crows and mourning doves
perch on her brittle limbs 
surveying the landscape and me…
how is it possible to miss someone
you never truly knew, and yet I do
how I wish I had known you old tree, 
in the spring…

~kat

Another bittersweet day. We need to call a tree service to take this ash tree down. Her fragile condition threatens our vehicles and home should a strong wind overtake her. I’ve watched her slow decline since we moved here a few years ago. I knew it was just a matter of time. But I was not ready for it to be this year. She was a special tree. Recently I noticed this heart-shape hollowed out in the bark on her trunk…a parting goodbye I imagine and a gentle acknowledgement of my admiration for her. It’s as if she showed me her heart.

I am learning as I age the art of letting go…and I am grateful for the grace of these lessons. I think it may actually be a blessing. When my time comes I hope to slip away as gently as my friend, the ash tree.

Now there’s a glimmer for you.

Much love, peace, and gentle glimmers to you.

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨