Winter’s Gift: The Song of the Trees

Virginia Shilson, Albuquerque, NM

I love looking at winter’s leafless trees. They shamelessly stand before us in their natural beauty, unburdened by the finery they displayed in seasons just past. Proudly, they reveal their true shape and color. Yes, color in winter’s trees. Look at them. I mean REALLY look. See the beauty.

There are trees still clinging to attire they wore all summer. Seed pods adorn some trees and the sun glistening on the pods gives them the glory and sparkle of Christmas Tree ornaments. Have you noticed the dried leaves on some trees? In the sun’s light they reflect golden, or silver, or bronze. The leaves reflect dancing light an artist cannot duplicate, no matter how extensive his paint box. Such natural, delicate hues causes me to stop and stare and want to kneel down before them.

The branches are the trees’ loving arms. I long to be gathered in by them, right into the essence of the tree. There I will be rocked and cradled as I listen to the song of the trees, hearing the song with my heart, with my whole being. I will listen to their story, and tell them mine, and we will know we are One.