Fall Tree

Fall Tree

Mary looked out the window of the car. The stoplight was always a long one. One where you could enjoy the tree lined streets, the quietness of a peaceful neighborhood. The sunrise had been so colorful, the product of a cold front moving through. Fall had finally come to the city, and this was the perfect morning to enjoy it.

The light frosts and longer nights started the trees on their journey into the most colorful season of the year. Looking at the trees standing beside her window, she used the time at the light to really observe. It was probably the very first time she saw the total beauty of the tree beside her.

At a distance, the tree appeared to be a solid mass of flaming red. Sitting here Mary had the time to really look at the depth of colors that made up that spectacular vision.

The outer leaves of the tree were so many different shades of red, from cranberry to golden orange. The shading of the leaves gave depth and a sense of movement that reminding her of the rolling hills that surrounded her home.

A breeze rustled the leaves and the middle layer of leaves, hidden by the red outer leaves became visible. The edges of the leaves were tinted a deep crimson red and yet the center of the leaves remained a deep verdant green. These would be the next leaves to change into the wondrous shades of red as the outer leaves.

The wind picked up again revealing the deepest layer of leaves within the branches. Sheltered within the outer layers, these leaves still held onto their beautiful summer hues.

The depth and quality of the tree fascinated her. Its beauty magnified by her observations. Mary thought about the beautiful tree off and on during her day. She couldn’t wait to go back when she got off work. She wanted nothing more than to sit under the tree and write her thoughts in her journal.

Mary finally had a few minutes to sit peacefully under her special tree. She started writing everything that popped into her mind. The words flew out of her pen as fast as the wind blew the colorful leaves around her.

She realized that the tree was so much more than just a tree. It was a symbol for her. It was the tree of knowledge, a tree of learning.

How many times did she pass this very tree without even looking at it? How many times had she miss opportunities to look within herself?

Each leaf was adding its part to the beauty of the tree. Each person she encountered was adding their part to her life, to her tree. Each life touched, added to the depth and color to her tree. All were part of the whole; all had their place and time.

Word Count 477