Tree Touching

Tree Touching
by
Robin Hall


The sun is very bright as I walked down the hill. I put the bill of my hat back some so Mr. or Miss, or Mrs. Sun can enlighten me, light up my life. I turn on the final leg of my walk and then touch the fine old tree standing near the path. It feels good, tree touching. I walk on and touch more trees and smile.

I pat one old tree. Some of the bark comes off and I wonder if I hurt the tree? At the next big tree I pause and place both hands on this natural beauty. The wind blows its leaves way up high in the sky and I can feel this huge tree bend in the wind. What a marvelous feeling it is, tree touching.

Another tree beckons ahead. I get there, put both hands on it and look up to the beautiful blue sky. The tree has a big bend in it and then goes on and on skyward, swaying in the wind.

Walk, touch a tree, move on. It is wonderful. Now, don't do this with poison ivy, lions, tigers or bears but trees are just fine to touch. In fact, you can also sit under them, lean on them, picnic under them, play near them and trees hardly notice us at all.

But you know what? I do think they know when we care for them. You can feel it next time you are out for a walk. Touch a tree and see. Whee!!!