Saturday, November 20, 2021

After the cut


They cut down the Honey Locust tree in front of our window yesterday. Something about the root system. I was bereft watching it go, this tree with its many colors, most especially its gold raiment, that kept me company through so many seasons as I sat by the window, writing, thinking, puzzling things out. Now there is only empty air where a mature tree stood, but now I can see other trees that were hidden before, and how strange to discover their patient beauty and to realize all is not lost, the cruel cut has been made, change happens without your consent, but inspiration can live in other branches, too.

Unrelated (or perhaps not), I won't be writing here about Kyle Rittenhouse being acquitted of the murder of two men at a Black Lives Matter rally last year, because we all know how the verdict would have gone down if he had been Black or Brown instead of White, so I'll be over here taking care of my mental health, because it's not as if any of us were one bit surprised. In fact, I was on the phone with my daughter yesterday when the not guilty verdict was rendered, and her only response was a quick sardonic burst of laughter at how absurdly wrong the whole things was. I have to laugh, she told me, or I'll never stop crying.



16 comments:

  1. Bogus judge and jury, bogus America and of course, that was my first thought, "had the lad been black..." We have been roasted , scooped out ,seeds and all, left with nothing but depletion, exhaustion, and desertion. This, a country based on white man thug-ism ,old news. This is where we live , a place we can not comfortably call "home".
    I am so sorry about your tree, the root system was likely moving toward pipes or the building's foundation or some man made thing, very sad.

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  2. Is that a before or after picture? I hate when mature trees are cut down even if it's necessary.

    I not only probably won't write about it, I'm having to consciously avoid reading any writing about it. That little punk was so patently guilty but yes we all knew he would get away with it. I can't read anything in order to stem the wave of anger or depression or both.

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  3. I haven't read or listened to a single word about that verdict. It infuriates me and confirms every sad notion I have about our country, our so-called system of justice. We may be broken beyond repair.
    That tree was so beautiful, but I'm glad you are able to see new trees now. Life and all its changes. Sigh.

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  4. Isn't it true? The pain of change so often leads to something glorious but yet I go, kicking and screaming, in the direction I am being pulled.

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  5. I like how you can look on the bright side of losing that tree - opening up your view of other lovely trees.

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  6. I can't even talk about that verdict. I know. We all know.
    Justice?
    None.
    I miss your tree for you.

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  7. I can't talk about Rittenhouse either. I just can't go there.

    It's a shame they had to take down the tree, but yes, you have other trees! And some buildings and some sky and maybe more light?

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  8. As much as I hated to hear that little monster was acquitted I cannot say I was surprised. As Ms Moon said, we all know. I am sorry about your tree.

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  9. I will miss that tree. It was beautiful all year round.
    As far as that verdict, it's just wrong. I am very angry about it.

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  10. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw that verdict. What is wrong with people? The judge has a lot to answer for in that case also. Lady Justice is no longer blind, if indeed she ever was.

    It's hard to lose an old tree friend, but your new view is also lovely. What choice to we have but to keep moving forward? The alternative - in all parts of life - is to stop living at all.

    Hugs, my dear friend.

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  11. "Now there is only empty air where a mature tree stood, but now I can see other trees that were hidden before, and how strange to discover their patient beauty and to realize all is not lost, the cruel cut has been made, change happens without your consent, but inspiration can live in other branches, too."

    Thank you for this today, my friend.

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  12. The familiar trees outside of our windows really do become friends. Roots were probably threatening the sidewalk or the sewer system. This photograph is richly stunning. I love your now long view of the neighborhood. Focus on that. There is beauty in the world. Working on cultivating that for myself, too.

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  13. I'll let my friend Lenny say a word or two about "it."

    Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
    Everybody knows that the captain lied
    Everybody got this broken feeling
    Like their father or their dog just died
    Everybody talking to their pockets
    Everybody wants a box of chocolates
    And a long-stem rose
    Everybody knows

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  14. It would appear there is no justice in the US. It's sickening.

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  15. It is disgusting...

    As for the tree, perhaps another can be planted further away where roots will do no damage to buildings, pipes or sewers...

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  16. It looks like a good view, regardless. We had to cut two stately maples at our gate not long ago and I still miss them. But now smaller trees can get some sun and fill in, so it is not all bad. Never is, unless it is a clear-cut. Those can be dire.

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