The Oneness of the Infinitree
by Absolute Vanilla
You looked at the picture and saw a tree on the hill, didn’t you? I looked, and I saw the heavens, the rolling plains and you watching me. You are thinking about the coming spring, aren’t you? I’m thinking about going home.
You see, for me there will be no spring – not as you know it, anyway. There will be no winter either. Instead I will go beyond the parts, rising up into the clouds, soaring through the pink and the blue, merging with the vastness of infinity - that from which I sprung - as you did too.
Reaching out, I will become one with unending melody of creation.
You think I’m just a crazy old rambler, don’t you?
But I’ve seen things you have not. I’ve been to places to which you are too afraid to go.
I’ve touched the infinite vastness, danced with Life and Death - and came to realise they are both One, as are the seasons.
It’s different for me, I suppose. Standing here gazing out over the green and gold plains, lifting myself to the snow and the sun.
I’ve stood still for so long, watching. I’ve seen how you come and go, rushing around but with less purpose than the ants who sometimes tickle me. It’s amazing how much you learn by being still. I’d invite you to try.
I will not put forth buds this year, my sap will not rise, for I am returning home. I’ll see you there.
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Listening for the words in a quiet corner of the night. The fiction, poetry, and photography of Jason Evans.
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- Aine
- Collaborator and night owl.
Past Contests
- "Elemental" Short Fiction Contest
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- "Endless Hour" Short Fiction Contest
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- "Lonely Moon" Short Fiction Contest (with Anne Frasier)
- "Midnight Road" Short Fiction Contest
- "Two Lights" Short Fiction Contest
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42 comments:
This is like a song. I can hear the guitar playing. Nice.
Another beautifully poetic piece - we should listen to trees more I think!
Nice! Love that you wrote this from the tree's point of view.
I liked this a lot. I didn't realize we were in the trees point of view until the end. a second read was even better than the first.
"I’ve stood still for so long, watching. I’ve seen how you come and go, rushing around but with less purpose than the ants who sometimes tickle me. It’s amazing how much you learn by being still. I’d invite you to try." - so true and I loved this paragraph.
Paul
The lyrical quality gives me the distinct impression of a rising and falling tide.
One thing I forgot to add, if there is an award for the best title...this would win hands down!
Really enjoyed this entry. Beautifully written and evocative, well done! I also agree, great title.
Geraldine
Ok I loved this piece because it was the first one that I've read which is from the tree's point of view. Two lines that I absolutely love are How sad the ending though.
Reaching out, I will become one with unending melody of creation.
and
I’ve touched the infinite vastness, danced with Life and Death - and came to realise they are both One, as are the seasons.
THese lines really spoke to me. And how sad the ending is. Sad that I interpret the tree as dying but uplifting in that the tree is returning to the cycle of life.
Thanks for all the very kind comments, very much appreciated!
Ello, funny, when I wrote the piece I didn't think of the ending as sad, just that there is a continuous cycle, that all is One and that the tree was "going home" as we will too one day. :-)
I really liked this - and yes I DID in fact think of spring!
Great writing!
"I'll see you there." Yes, in the Oneness to which we all belong...
A beautiful piece, Vanilla, made very interesting by the tree POV.
"It’s amazing how much you learn by being still. I’d invite you to try." - I liked that.
I think the message is uplifting, full of hope...
Vanilla,
Profound message here. A superb telling of life's cycle. And if we stay still for a few moments we too can hear the tree speak to us.
Infinitely well done girl!
rel
Snap! Very cleverly written! I hadn't considered writing from the *tree's* point of view. Subtle, but not too vague. I love the mysticism. Well done!
The narrator has "been to places to which you are too afraid to go" yet has never moved from one spot. Very nice, then following it up with the "I've stood still for so long, watching." It does make a body ponder.
It's like a poem, I liked it. The tree's thoughts linger on well after I read this piece. Thank you for the experience.
I was wondering if anyone would do this, speak directly for the tree. This was beautifully done.
Very lovely!!
My favorite part was the invitation to be still. It's one we all should heed.
I, too, loved the gentle, rolling quality of your piece. Not mournful, but accepting. Very life-affirming, and hopeful. Well done!
Beautiful piece, Vanilla. I love that the tree has the persona of a grumpy, old man, sitting on his porch, not taking any nonsense from the young ones. Great job!
I thought this was about someone watching from heaven, thinking about everything we take for granted. I was surprised when it was the tree talking at the end. It's funny because I knew the picture was of a tree but I completely forget that while reading the story. Beautiful story. Loved it.
I haven't read all of the entries yet, but I was hoping someone would write from the POV of the tree.
It does read like a song. I like this one very much. Nicely done!!
Again, thanks for all the positive and affirming comments. Writing this piece was an interesting experience because I didn't plot or plan the story, I just stared and stared at the picture until it went blurry and then let my fingers loose. Perhaps it really was the tree talking through me :-)
I like that you've taken on the perspective of the tree to tell your story. Indeed - there is much to be learned by "sitting still."
Novel perspective---the ancient tree! Nicely done!
"It's amazing how much you learn by being still." A gem of truth, that.
This is melodious and beautiful. Great piece.
Graceful, uplifting prose. I felt like I was listening to the parting speech of a Shaman.
Well done!
What a wonderful piece of writing! The words, lyricism and pacing all come together like a musical painting that really lifted my spirits.
loved it so much :)
great one, such pieces of writing make me believe that words can create magic :)
How original!
I really enjoyed this piece. Melodious, mysterious, beautiful.
Lovely sad story, I like the idea of a tree indulging in euthanasia.
A lovely take on the picture, AV. Nice to have that POV, with rich and meditative words. Well done. :-)
Good to hear from the tree! I tend to think of them as eternal things and so you've showed me how they are "because life and death are both One."
Beautiful writing.
That was awesome!There is a beauty which is always associated with death,it is the ultimate teacher.
Good luck! :)
The theologian in me is having trouble not analyzing too much :) This piece is haunting in the way a good song haunts - gets stuck in your head, makes its way to your heart, affects the way your eyes see things. A tender meditation.
Thank you again, so much, for the kind and supportive comments. I'm delighted the story has touched so many people. I think the tree would be glad too :-)
Beautiful writing. The tree has wisdom worth listening to. Nice job.
what a genuinely perfect perception.. the wise old tree.. such knowledge ... i loved this....
Poetic & beautifully written
The uniquiness of your story based on the life of a tree is very poetic. A life takes many forms and you have represented it here.
this one's with a great voice and huge originality! well done, Vanilla!
The enduring consciousness of the tree.... Well done. I agree as to the power of stillness.
So that's what a tree thinks! My favorite line is "It’s amazing how much you learn by being still." Very wise.
Thanks for sharing this!
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