26 VIRGINIA FORESTS Th e w i n d battered tree held on to the side of the mountain for dear life. Its branches curled over and heavy to one side from the years of persistent wind. The roots interwoven, grasping the dirt and rocks—anything to secure its upright position. The ground below the tree was wiped clean of leaves; only small sticks and branches laid atop the soil mostly comprised of rocks. Throughout the tree’s life, it had watched the sun come up over the same distant ridge and slowly fade behind a ridge on the opposite side of the valley. Cased in the deeply furrowed bark the stout trunk, in previous years, was solid and fiercely strong. As the years progressed, unfortunate branches succumbed to the ice, snow, and wind and were snapped off leaving only rigid stubs in their place. These branches fell to the ground beneath the tree. As the elements and animals worked on these scars, they became weak and evolved into hollow spots scattered about the trunk. As time progressed, the innards of the tree evolved into empty space, leaving only an outer skeleton to give false hope of good health to the passerby. Yet, the tree grasped the dirt and rocks below to secure its upright position. The calloused branches became laced with scratches from the claws of the tree’s visitors. Sections of bark became thin and almost nonexistent from relentless pecking and scratching. The remaining bark of the tree visibly distressed from years of abuse still clutched tightly to the wood beneath. Small segments of each branch disclosed raw wood and discolored bark from the thrashing of the winds. Once laden with brown conical buds, each branch left empty scars both dry and stained with what once was. With no leaves, the wind curled branches hung empty as if their only purpose were to cast shadows upon the forest floor. Beyond visibility, beneath the rocky blanket that held the tree in place, the small seed laid motionless, smothered by the dark. A futuristic illustration towered above but was limited by time—the seed’s success was dependent upon the expiration of the mighty tree. Betrayed by the dirt and rocks below, the silent giant collapsed as its roots held firm and cradled the piece of earth that once offered support. Now laid eye-to-eye with the small seed, an emptiness was left above. Rays of sun occupied the empty space and slowly moved across the land. The seed began to grow. Displacing tiny particles, the roots were vigorous in their search for sustainability. The fresh sprout optimistically stretched upward and followed the course of the sun throughout the day. After time, the roots became entangled with the roots of the very source that produced the seed. New life grasped, then passed. This feat a product of nature’s resilience. The downfall of a once mighty oak opened a gateway that beckoned new life. For it is from these tiny seeds that mighty oaks grow. The Gateway By Luke Shenk Illustration by April Shenk
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