Yo, humans, can we talk? You know, you guys used to be pretty cool. You were on a roll there for a while. But lately, I have watched your recent generations going backwards in some unfortunate ways. Some of your powerful nations seem to be coming apart at the seams. It’s as though your wisdom is evaporating. You are tending toward stupidity, not getting smarter. I’ve seen you make mistakes over the centuries, but really! You used to find a way to work it out, to be more tolerant.
What I have been observing in recent times, is you moving to a cold, isolated existence, disconnected from each other. Hell, you are disconnecting from everything! In this fascination you have with technology, you have begun serving the machine. You are so enamored with the virtual world, you have lost sight of the natural world. All your video games, and really violent video game. It is as though you are fascinated with perfecting violence, like you are in some bizarre race to ruination?
You are becoming aliens in this amazing eden, that so many have been helping create for you all, for many millenniums now. My fellow trees and I have invested our existence in providing oxygen for you, and cleaning toxins from your air. But I see you crippling the natural world, misshaping it, scarring it – you are killing it, and each other. Come on you guys, all my rooted friends, big and small, and all our animal buddies – we care about you! Give us a break! Pull your heads out of your collective butts!
Look, speaking for us trees, if you humans wipe yourself out, most of us will likely still be standing here, thrusting skyward, reaching closer to heaven than any living things. We have been, and chances are, will remain perpetual survivors. We are historically rooted in perpetuity. We are the constant sentinels, the witnesses to your existence on planet earth. But we don’t want to be witness to your tragedy – we like you guys, in general.
Listen, since I must stand here, watching you for generation after generation, what do say, you let me watch you move forward. Take that cleverness, and your technologies, and clean this mess up. Even if it takes your civilization painstaking progress to turn it around – start. Who cares if the reversal of of your fortunes unfolds slowly – just do it!
I would love to observe millenniums of human endeavor awaken
to real self-awareness of your responsibilty as one of the key stewards of this planet. Become less dependent on blind conformity, on a hive mentality of conflict. Become true masters of your machines. Look up into each others eyes. Stop stumbling around, staring down into your gadgets, like automaton zombies. Use your technologies to genuinely improve your lives. Use it to end hunger, end strife, strive for the light. Evolve as wise beings.
Let me see the natural world reshaped positively by you, tempered with strength, made more productive and resilient – more beautiful. Let me see you find your balance with each other, with all the rest of us. I will stand here, reaching skyward, as long as you don’t screw it up for all of us. Please let me stand here proud, a witness to your eventual glorious triumph!
rob kistner © 2019
Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.
Let me just say “Wow”, I really enjoyed this chat with the tree. I wonder how many rings this tree has because it is wise beyond mere years. I hope the tree continues to grow upward and that humans open their eyes to what is taking shape around them. I am applauding the tree for speaking his mind.
Love that photo.
Humans have a lot to learn about being in balance with nature True. Great photo isn’t it…
From your pen to humanity’s ears, Rob. Just wonderful, and wise.
Thank you Sherry. Perhaps someday we will learn.
Love the direction you went in with this piece – and I thought that the conversational tone you struck on here, is bang-on (exactly what I’d expect from a tree ~ smiles ~) I totally buy into the notion that the average tree is more connected to the fortunes of this planet that the average human.
Trees depend on the planet Wendy. Humans think we own it – because we are idiots!
I suspect that this tree chock its branches and everything while chatting. A being this livid at the stupidity of a its neighbors would only stay rooted because it musts. But who can blame it? So many trespasses, so few lessons learned—man will always dumbest when its behavior suggests that it knows and owns everything.
Trees are by nature, patient and nurturing Magaly. They spend their lives, trying to scrub clean the pollution that humans flush into the air, while they also provide the oxygen we breath. Humankind owes an enormous, ongoing debt to trees. But do we show any gratitude? No!
Trees share their wisdom with us simply by their existence & feel sorry for these unworthy humans who are determined to rush for self destruction. Sigh. Very well put.
Thank you Sumana. Like I commented to Magaly, humankind owes a massive debt to trees.
It seems fewer and fewer are listening…
So fucking true Kerfe, and so sad!
Such a great voice for the tree! Not to mention the idea of perfected violence–makes me wonder what that would be and why you would want it.
Ask our military Chrissa, they are constantly working on perfecting violence. You can also ask our video game makers. Every day they release more and more murderous games for our children, constantly perfecting violence.
I do believe this too… the trees will survive. but unless we change we are doomed to murder ourselves.
I keep looking for an indication of change, but I don’t see it yet Bjorn.
Oh, I love this tree chat. I hope our young will wake up and stop what their elders have done/ and are doing. Maybe we who love nature should lead the young beneath a tree for a conversation.
If they would listen, and be made to understand what a precious essential partner trees are in our life, be made to see them as much more than some commodity to be consumed – that would be miraculous Susie. But the example we adults set in today’s world will never allow our youth to reach thst understanding. Our adult world in these times, is a mess – especially our adult leadership. They’re embarrassing greedy, hate-filled failures.