Look out your window. What do you see? Well, I see a parking lot, shaded generously by leafy trees, and a bird perched on the tree branch nearest my window. I love to look outside and notice life’s subtleties, they sometimes make for the best ideas of writing. This is how I believe trees feel, if they had feelings.
It’s Spring. It’s a gorgeous, sunny day: the sun’s rays cast down on a local park. Children are throwing a football and their parents are enjoying a picnic of sandwiches and hand-picked fresh fruit. Various trees surround the park, giving shade to the picnickers and contributing to the 77-degree breeze of air that blows by from time to time as if they are dancing in the wind. Their leaves reflect a vibrant green, letting the world know their perfect health. These trees would smile if they could.
Now, Summer. The park trees are now different shades of green. The perfect temperature of Spring did not translate into Summer: each day is well over 100. The trees don’t feel as happy, either. They are forced to produce shade, which requires them to absorb the rays and the heat to protect those beneath. This is a tough job. They are overworked—they work over 12 hours each day of the week without pay. Not to mention that the trees already provide oxygen for the people, too. With little rain, these trees are dehydrated and not even the pee on their bark from dogs can relieve their pain.
Fall. This is the peak season for the trees. They feel beautiful: they trade their green coats for red, yellow, and orange luscious ones. And the best part is that everyone gets to admire them. Families travel to camp to appreciate the leaves by collecting the prettiest ones to keep. But as the air chills in the park, the trees remain happy. Families come to fly kites with the autumn breeze. The trees think about how gorgeous they are, but they know their beauty will soon cease.
And now Winter. The park trees are crying. They miss the colors. They miss the weather. Now, the trees are weighed down with heavy, wet snow. In a park about three blocks over, the families who played in the trees’ park are now ice-skating in the other. The animals, they are hibernating. The only sign of life is the cold, harsh winter air. The trees can’t keep warm if they don’t have leaves. During Christmastime, the luckiest of the trees are chosen to be taken home with families and dressed with ornaments and tinsel. The trees yearn for attention.
A tree is a living being, too, if you think about it. They have a large trunk and arms for branches. They help for us to breathe, so we should return the favor. Plant a tree, water a tree, hug a tree.
