the olive tree

the Mediterranean climate,

mild, wet winters

warm, dry summers

dancing in it a lovely olive tree.

beautiful, long and smooth branches.

bearing luscious leaves and a wonderful botanical fruit

the tree stood tall and strong,

wide roots and a fearless foundation.

how the tree so admired the boy.

a young boy who came to visit her home

quite often he came.

so free, careless, and happy.

he ran his fingers on her bark.

picked and so slowly enjoyed her olives.

laid under her shade.

what a precious wonderful work he was.

she saw all the elements within him.

he danced with a lightness of air,

he moved with a smooth flow of water,

he played with a fierceness of fire,

he noticed with a centering of earth.

how lovely to see him admire the trees

grass

flowers

to witness him roll in the dirt

and speak with the birds

and entertain the bugs.

a true miracle this little boy was.

time went on

as life does

the little boy was a long lost memory

and her beautiful home was too

she stood alone

completely

no other green in sight

her branches bare

her leaves unnourished.

she knew her time was coming.

one day they came

the men with tools

to take the final piece away.

to clear completely what once was a kingdom

a forrest of fairy tale

a safe space of natural love.

the emperor joined them this time,

as it was ceremonial to join together when a project comes to an end.

when he entered the space

he was thrown back in time.

a divine place this was.

his soul ascended and his memory raced.

this was his first kingdom

a kingdom of no end

of no destruction

no pain.

one of pure imagination

and celebration

and elevation.

he remembered the sole tree that stood in front of him

a tear ran down his face when he looked to see how empty it was now.

how she was alone

no longer bearing her gifts.

the emperor fell to his knees.

and what felt like beyond his control,

he began to roll

and laugh

and play.

the tree laughed too

and reignited the spark of her soul

the soul of mama earth within.

as his men stood in confusion,

they decided to join in the fun.

as awareness caught up to them,

the emperor expressed deep remorse,

he approached the olive tree and hugged her so deep.

he explained to the others the importance and beauty of this land, and all the land of this wonderful country.

all plans changed, as the emperor remembered the true value of life.

and our original friends here on earth.

the country worked with nature, hand in hand.

restoring and adoring

the beauty that has no end.