On a Sycamore Tree

You, old man, with your hidden rings, I can guess your age. I measure your circumference in inches, divide it by pi to get your diameter, and multiply that by a growth factor of four. I calculate two hundred years stationed along the river, rooted, moving out and up. Your white bones clacking against blue sky. In your youth, the last of the Delaware, Wyandot, and Shawnee walked along the banks, driven west to the confined prairies of Oklahoma. Settlers from the East had arrived, roosting in the hollowed trunks of your older, wider kin, while they built sturdier shelters. You have seen floods and droughts. You arched your spine toward the river when they laid railroad tracks in the 1850s. Did you hear the college men singing up on the campus? Did they come down from the hill and climb your limbs? How many generations of raccoons found warmth inside you? The fog settles on your leaves after the thunderstorm and lifts again by morning. The train left tracks behind 65 years ago, today covered in asphalt for bicyclists and joggers. They are much quieter, though the road that runs parallel to the river carries cars and trucks at 50 miles per hour. The exhaust drifts your way but still you stand, protected on all sides by legal agreements that shield your roots from bulldozers. But what I want to know is who fell in love at your mossy feet, played hide and seek around your widening waist, carved a heart into your shedding bark?

21 Comments On a Sycamore Tree

  1. Cyn K June 15, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    I love this! I enjoy a tree as much as the next person, but in a thoughtless “there’s a tree” way. I love how you imagined this sycamore’s history and made me imagine it, too.

    Reply
    1. Cyn K June 15, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      I forgot to add that the photo is beautiful, too.

      Reply
      1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:07 pm

        Thanks, Cyn. It’s a gorgeous tree. Appreciate the comment.

        Reply
  2. blainecindy June 15, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    This is really great. It paints such a wonderful picture in my mind, without having to look at the beautiful photo. Great job!

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks so much, Cindy!

      Reply
  3. MamaMickTerry June 16, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this, Meg!
    Sycamore’s are by far my favorite tree. I have a huge one that protects my garden and several more that line the creek banks. You captured its essence in the most beautiful way. It makes me want to write about my tree, too.
    Miss you!

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:10 pm

      How I miss you, my friend! Always nice to see you comment. I envy that you have a sycamore tree. Are you writing? Doing well? Come back! xoxo

      Reply
      1. MamaMickTerry June 22, 2015 at 12:57 pm

        Helllllooooo!
        Any chance you have an Instagram account? I have several pictures of him (the sycamore) on there. He’s a beauty!
        I am writing – a lot! I just got my first piece published in a little journal last week. I’m thinking about trying fiction/poetry again, so I may be back over to YeahWrite very soon. How are you?
        Oh, girl, we need to get caught up don’t we!?!?

        Reply
        1. Avatar photoMeg June 25, 2015 at 12:03 am

          Yay for publishing!!! Yes, we do need to get caught up…will try to email soon. xoxo

          Reply
  4. mr sock monkey June 16, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    monkey hope someday monkey make word picture so good as meg make.

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Mr. Socket Monkey, everything you write is a joy to read. You are much beloved. Thanks for your kind comment.

      Reply
  5. Beth June 16, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    Reading your stories is always moving in some good way, Meg. In 13 lines, I grew to admire that tree:0)).

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:14 pm

      Awww. Thanks, Beth! Really appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  6. Delida Costin June 18, 2015 at 5:41 am

    What I love about this: the known history that you bring forward, and the mysteries of history that we’ll never know. Histories and mysteries — two things I really dig. Thank you!!

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you for your kind reading and comment, Delida. I hope you post at yeah write again.

      Reply
  7. Michael June 18, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    I loved this. I’ve always liked trees in general, and you brought this one to life. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks, Michael! Sorry I haven’t been around on the fic|poetry grid and have missed some of your pieces. I’ve been taking a nonfiction workshop here in town and have been focused on these short essays. I miss your world, though.

      Reply
  8. Cheney June 18, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    That was so beautiful 🙂

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:18 pm

      As always, thanks for your generous reading and comment, Cheney.

      Reply
  9. Michaela Mitchell June 18, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Wow. Beautiful observations of something that has witnessed so much more than we ever could.

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoMeg June 21, 2015 at 8:19 pm

      Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment, Michaela. Please come back!

      Reply

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