The Fallen Tree

We all come together, gathered 'round

About a week ago, my husband and I went out for a walk after breakfast. It was a fine summer day, unlike stormy ones we’d had recently. Whenever a storm comes up, I worry for the many old tall trees lining our street, which is densely populated with young families and older people like ourselves.

But this morning was calm and sunny, without a wind. We walked up our street, stopped briefly at a local vegetable market, and came back to find that in the time we’d been gone, a huge branch from a giant tree had fallen, completely without warning. All the neighbours had come out of their houses to see what had happened. We met a young woman with her baby and offered space in our freezer in case the power stayed out for long.

Then I left to attend my weekly online dream group. In a striking synchronicity, the reflection of one group member (thousands of miles away) involved a character named after a tree, and the story of a dramatically falling branch.

It was as if something was saying “pay attention!”

There are meaningful symbols falling around us all over the place. Just walk down the street and you’re likely to be hit by one.

So it wasn’t surprising that when I picked up my guitar, intending to work on something else, the fallen tree was still in the middle of Creative Consciousness, calling to be worked with.

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The song that emerged was simple...and oddly old. You’ll hear right away that it sounds like a traditional folk-blues song (not something I usually do), so “The Fallen Tree” is in some ways a measure of respect for the older forms, the passing-away of voices, the aspects of life once thought to be unshakeable.

The spaciousness of the song (which may be unfinished, or remain simply a sketch) will, I hope, offer some room for you to find your own meaning in the metaphor.

What “fallen trees” exist in your life today?

How have you survived their falling? Have they disrupted your life, wreaked havoc, or opened up new space for Creative Spirit?

What (or who) is now “gathering” within and around you, in the wake of the falling?

Have powerful symbols shown up in your life recently (such as the tree here) and have they shown up more than once, or in more than one way?

And finally…may we all continue to gather around one another during times of loss and change.

May we move with gratitude through Life, aware of how very fortunate we are to be here.

Postscript, in full disclosure: As it turned out, it was only a large branch that fell, and the rest of the tree seems healthy so far. Still, the song came out this way.

Fallen tree, down upon the road / Fallen tree, down upon the road / Now we’ve all come to gather all around that fallen tree / Now we’ve all come to gather all around that fallen tree.

Little baby, in his mother’s arms / Little baby in his mother’s arms / He is wide-eyed and looking all around that fallen tree / He is wide-eyed and looking all around that fallen tree.

Young and old, neighbours and friends / Young and old, strangers and friends / We have all come together taking in that fallen tree / We have all come together taking in that fallen tree.

Yes we were there just before it fell / We all were there just before it fell / Now we’re wondering what secrets it can tell, that fallen tree / Now we’re wondering what secrets it can tell, that fallen tree.

Fallen tree, down upon the road.