A Tree For Me (Leighton Ford)

When I was in college, and got down and discouraged

I would sometimes climb a tree near where I lived

and sit there a while.

Somehow it helped.

Perhaps it made me feel like a boy again, shinnying up a tree.

It may have been the trunk gave me a sense of being held

by something strong and sturdy.

Perhaps the spreading branches gave me a wider view

or maybe they were a hiding place

if I didn’t want to be seen.

I’m not sure why it helped.

All I know is that I hate it

when one of the great ones

gets cut down.

Leighton Ford