Oak Witness

The oak was tall, offering shade and privacy. I knew this tree but didn’t come this way often. Feeling drawn toward it, I began quieting myself to listen. The beauty of nature itself took my breath away once more. How could we be so blind as not to see the obvious?

Standing still I began to hear music in my spirit. Without thinking for rhyme or reason I did my best to release a song of heart. Such songs came so spontaneously I didn’t try to stifle them with my logic. When my song waned, I felt as though my chest had been punched and I choked momentarily with tears. It passed quickly and I stood once more in silence.

There was something I had to do. Moving down from the trail I put my hands on this oak. Its size gave declaration of age and hardiness to have withstood all manner of trials. A love for this witness warmed me and I felt inner peace.

I took off my backpack and made a comfortable place to lean upon my friend. His sturdiness for my back lent me strength and his location gave me solace without feeling pangs of loneliness. Looking out from beneath his huge branches of coolness and protection I could think of no place else I wanted to be. The grass around me was tall and dry from summer heat; it looked like gold to my eyes.

I took out my journal but after a few sentences I put it away again. I couldn’t capture the words anymore than I could capture the breeze that blew about me. Putting my arm down upon a root growing from the oak beside me; I took a lesson from its stature and just sat still. In my waiting, I lived in the moment, enjoying it for what it was.