Roots Without A Crown

This was a friend of mine, although I didn’t know her long. I met her as I was out walking one day. I noticed the City had nailed a sign into her, saying she was due for removal. She was young still—small. The sign said she posed a health risk.

Oddly enough, one of the last times I went to the gym before I got sick, I had been running late that day which threw me off schedule. As I walked home, I heard the chain saws and happened to walk past her just as the city workers were hoisting her body into their truck. She had been in bloom when they took her.

As devastating as it was for me to witness that, I’m grateful I had my sunglasses on that day so no one could see me weep. I don’t feel many people understand my compassion for trees, plants, and bugs. I may as well have witnessed a murder only if I had then people around me would extend empathy instead of looking at me like I’m crazy. I’m also grateful I got to be there at the end. I was across the street, but she knew it, I’m sure of it. It was divine timing.

The first photo was when I was walking to the gym today. On my way home, I spotted a fallen branch with blossoms on it, so I removed a small twig. When I passed by her stump again, I knelt down and placed it upon her in memoriam.

Rest In Peace, Beautiful. 🌳🌸

Photographs by Amy Frank

Victoria, BC, Canada