Three Stubborn Trees

What became of the lone stubborn tree?

Standing in fields, frazzled, leaf-less,

it sees others like itself, and feels

for the first time, the need for company

the seed of solitude, shared,

with other branches though wind

that is perhaps friend, not enemy.

Stubbornness that takes pleasure in

others' stories, the call of 

other trees, the fall

of leaves, that have played their parts,

the squirrels and small animals that 

call her home, refuge. Her warmth and tenderness

emerges from beneath frozen, hard bark,

as sap, as new leaves. She grips the ground

tighter, digs her roots in,

anticipating but prepared

to withstand storms and lightning;

prepared to protect others by simply

surviving.

Still a tree, still stubborn, but not

alone.

21.9.20.

For Jayshree and Siddhi.