Uprooted

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Uprooted

“Can you get even closer to the tree?” he said—so I went inches from the trunk of the tallest of the trees, crowding the fern that reached tentative tentacles from the tree’s shade into a ray of sun that escaped the fast-collecting clouds. “I’ll protect you,” he had said years ago, when we declared our union. But now, in this time of the approaching storm, I wondered about both tree and one who over the years had been in turn protector and threat. In times of gentle rain, a shield. In times more volatile, that sudden bolt that left bruised places easily hidden. I saw the tree’s scar, devoid of bark, burned at the edges––that place now easily overlooked in the shadows. And I moved away from the tree, walking with new confidence to the car. Uprooted, finally, after so many years.

 

Italicized line is from Sharon Olds’ poem, “Pine Tree Ode.” For the dVerse Poets Pub prompt–to develop a prose piece of 144 words making use of a line from another poet’s poem about a tree. Go HERE to read what other writers did with this prompt or to participate yourself.

 

19 thoughts on “Uprooted”

  4. Carol J Forrester's avatarCarol J Forrester

    I was watching a conversation between Neil Gaiman and Laurie Anderson last night where Laurie was talking about feeling un-tethered no necessarily being a bad thing. I think her point was that the freedom it brings leaves you wide open to new experiences and opportunity. The uprooting at the end of this piece brought me straight back to her words and the sense of breaks and endings being terrifyingly full of everything and anything.

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    1. lifelessons's avatarlifelessons Post author

      I identify completely with what you say. In my life, I have had seven complete breaks and new beginnings. In each I left a life I loved to find an even better one that was totally different.

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  5. Lisa or Li's avatarmsjadeli

    The metaphor is powerful here. Where it diverges is that the tree must remain rooted, the person can walk away. I enjoyed your story of free will and moving in a positive direction after such a long time staying in place.

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  9. Rob Kistner's avatarRob Kistner

    Excellent writing Judy ! Good use of the prompt line. Enjoyed reading this story of duality. I guess there is truth in the universality of Yin and yang. Beautiful photo of tge tree!

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  10. merrildsmith's avatarmerrildsmith

    A wonderful piece of writing–and metaphor. I’m glad she had the strength to uproot herself. You used the line you chose very effectively–but actually the prompt was to use the line I supplied. 🙂 Apparently, I was not very clear about that.

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