Lying on the grass in the afternoon sun is one of life's simple pleasures, I thought to myselfy; she looks so peaceful taking a siesta while its nice and warm. Just another lovely afternoon in this lovely African paradise. I walk over to the sleeping beauty with the sole intention of ruining her slumber... I had promised to wake her up for dinner you see. As I drew closer I couldn't help but gaze upon this perfection that lay before my eyes: how could one person be so gorgeous! Short rugged hair, firm athletic body that's got her clothes begging to be ripped off... Even the tattoos and piercings are so well placed to suit the overall perfection! The sight I behold is of a perfect painting made by God after a good rest.
"Morra" I call out softly, "It's time to wake up."
She lay there peaceful and deeply asleep, so I reached out to give her a shake hoping this wake her up! As I reached out I couldn't help but notice my arm was nothing I recognized! It had turned into a branch! What the hell! It's then I took a moment to regard myself; my feet were long roots buried in the ground, my legs were a thick brown stem and the rest of me was leaves, branches and purple flowers! Why I'm I Jacaranda tree in bloom!! I think they're beautiful trees and I appreciate them... But how did I turn into a tree!!
I was in a panic! Trying to wrap my head around this current adjustment to my reality! Looking around I could see all the other trees in the yard swaying to the wind like it was a perfectly normal day! I could see the fiery flamboyant just standing there looking stunning, the eucalyptus by the hedge being all tall and pale, the avocado tree by the gate being all so fruitful, the pine trees by kitchen garden acting all so cool! The rose and wild berry bushes just basking in the sun and then the jacaranda trees by house beckoning me to go back where I belong! This is insane I thought to myself!! Though I love trees, I am not a tree!
Meanwhile Morra is still fast asleep as I endure through this sudden on set identity crisis. I need help I think to myself! I must wake her up and then she can help me. I shake off a couple of my violet flowers and sprinkle them upon her stunning face hoping she'd awaken but nothing! I try a few more and nothing yet! I let impatience win me over and decide to drop a little branch upon her thighs, that seems to have done the trick! She wakes up a little confused, looks around and finally gets on her feet.
"Chris!" She yells "you were supposed to wake me up!"
She complained as she headed for the house! I scream out her name countless times as I watch her disappear into the house! She can't hear me! It was then that the gravity of this situation dawned upon me! I am now a tree, trees cannot talk; they cannot share their feelings or concerns with humans! She cannot hear me! She thinks I'm a just another jacaranda tree chilling in the yard!
This is horrible! I need help... I thought to myself! So I stood there trying to fit into my new tree persona and figure out how all this could have possibly happened; I played the entire day over and over in my mind; trying to see when the transition from human to tree could have happened. I replayed scenes of waking up earlier that morning, our usual start of the day rituals, running errands, cooking and cleaning and walking towards Morra;none of it made sense!
The back door creaked and i could see Morra walking out still yelling for me. "I'm right here" I answered! Sadly all my efforts were for naught. There she was worried and confused about my whereabouts and here I was trapped in a form that denied me the ability to quell her discomfort. She slowly walked back into the house; i could see through the window she was talking on the phone, making different calls to different people who by her frustrated look weren't helping the situation. It wasn't long before our family and friends came to make head or tail of this situation, soon enough the police showed up to verify details the missing persons report Morra had filled up. The whole time she kept appearing from the back door with some new face having to go through a grueling narration of the days events and the countless possibilities of where I could possibly be over and over again. It was too painful to watch!
The weeks passed, I was still stuck in the yard watching my dear Morra from a far like an obsessed stalker; wishing i could break this ungodly barrier and hold her in my arms, comfort her and dry her tears. Every time she stepped out the door, I could see it in her eyes; love turning into a dark cloud of doubt, fear and resentment. In her mind, I was slowly but surely turning into the enemy! I could only hope that her heart was strong enough to endure this madness.
How it feels to be a tree; to stand tall in one place all day and night, have birds and woodland creatures nest and relieve themselves off you, have life happen to you in near exact motion on the daily! Here i was living in a near stagnant life style while brooding over all the things i had lost; each day seemed harder that the last, I couldn't tell if i was slowly slipping into a dark insanity or if it was the dejection dragging me closer to my end. Morra barely came to the back yard any more. The grass was unkempt, the hedge was growing wild, the kitchen garden had turned into a miniature wilderness, all the trees; myself included, were covered in lifeless leaves and branches... it was pure chaos! Seasons came and passed, chaos reigned over the backyard and a cold darkness ruled our lives. Morra miserable and trapped in the concrete walls that was once our home, and I ruling the jungle of filth that was once our love tended back yard!
One Morning something peculiar happened; a young man walked into the back and started cleaning up the yard! this came as a rather welcome surprise to all we yard dwellers! He collected all the trash, trimmed the hedges, pruned the bushes.. took care of every inch of the yard! it was marvelous. As the young disappeared into the house, out came Morra looking gorgeous as ever! It seemed like she was going to be hosting a party, she was meticulously arranging party props all over the yard and speaking endlessly on the phone. It felt great seeing her again and even greater knowing she was happy. As she went about her business all i could do was gaze upon her and reminisce on all those moment we had; even the fights and scolding seemed sweet at this moment; I couldn't help but wonder if she felt the same way.
later that night friends gathered in the yard, there was sweet music, delicious food and my dear Morra finally living again! As the night went by I couldn't help but notice a strange good looking man who seemed to take keen interest in 'my' Morra! Every time I gazed upon her he was right there making her laugh, filling her cup, keeping her warm... all the things that once were mine! I could feel a hellish fire brewing in belly, I wanted to walk over and end that shenanigan and claim whats mine; yet here i was helplessly rooted to the ground with nothing but hopes and wishes! This was simply too much for me!
Soon enough the party came to an end and i was feeling relieved that "Mr Romantic" would be on his way out of our precious lives! Who knew that trees too could suffer maddening jealousy... I laughed to myself. As our friends helped clean up "Mr Romantic" walked towards me and gave me a smirk look. How odd i thought, why would he make faces at a tree!
"Hello old friend" he said! "I see you're enjoying your new life in the yard."
Was he talking to me? I wondered to myself quite bewildered by his words!
"Yes Chris!" he said "It is you that I'm addressing... You may not remember me just yet but i have thought about you daily for decades! You once took away something dear to me and I'm here to return the favor, and I plan to make you watch the entire show from up there my friend!"
I couldn't believe the words that floated from his lips, like poisoned balloons they floated and burst right above me showering their venom all over! Who was this and what was he ranting about! As he walked away I noticed the blazing symbol on the nape of his neck; I knew that symbol from a powerful warlock I once ensnared... I felt a thousand chills shoot down my bark and roots, knowing only too well that my hellish troubles had just begun.
