Up close and personal
Weathered and deep-wrinkled
Scars from a war that time had waged
Upon your
Once perfect concentric circles
Competing for space
Vying for attention
Recognition
On a cracked-out stump
I’m Gazing into a long dark tunnel where no light shines
From the other side at the other end
Is this it?
I ask myself
And wait In silence
For your answer.
Crept closer
Studied the lines
Listened for secrets and
Lost myself in those infinite lines
Part of an intricate design
Going ‘round and ‘round
Cycles in circles
Of life and seasons
The tide washing in and out
You’ve probably seen it all before
In your better days
Felt the wind beating
Against your branches
Rain pouring through your leaves
Sunlight dancing around your shade
Majestically made
Once.
Shelter in the midst of a storm
A place to call home
Shade and warmth
Comfort
Security
You provided again and again
Life to many
Abundantly
Only your rings a testimony
Remain.
I wonder
What lessons you’d give
What words could suffice
I step back and wait
But the answers don’t come
Maybe I’d wait forever
Or maybe already I know
Nothing’s the same as it used to be
As time simply repeats herself
Carving her history
Into patterns of beauty
Documenting our journeys
Into these…
Rings on a tree for the world to see.
6/29/2010 ['Tree Rings' artwork circa Tony Hong]
