The Fallen Tree

In the early part of a run

Begun before 6 AM

On a familiar street

In a familiar part of town

We saw that a tree had fallen.

The tree looked like a strong tree.

Tall, good trunk, not sickly.

The tree was, in fact, in bloom.

Yet, when the tree

Met the strong winds

That had been blowing through the night

It was clear who won.  

The winds.

The tree spanned the street,

Preventing cars from passing.

Lucky for the cars

That were on the street,

It looked like the most damage

Would have been

Some scratches to the side of a truck

From the top and smallest branches

Of the tree.

And it is sad to see a tree ffallen.

And it is amazing to think of how long

The tree stood there.

Perhaps longer than either of us has been alive.

But when conditions were not

In the tree’s favor, the tree could not change.

Could not shift.

Could not turn itself away.

Could not protect itself from 

The whims of the winds.

While as runners—even as people—

We can adapt.  Change.  Shift.

Plan.  Resist.  React.

All characteristics that allow us

No matter how vulnerable one may feel

When running against the wind

To be there another day

While the tree that stood tall

And appeared mighty

No longer is there. 

So, I count my blessings.