INTRICATE ROOTS
INTRICATE ROOTS
BY CAROLYN STICKLEY, COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
A sequoia’s intricately designed roots are motivated to create more life and spread for six hundred miles in Sequoia National Park. They reach and mingle with other sequoias, as a human family moves all over the land but remains soulfully connected. Eventually, all living things are miraculously intertwined.
We wander on this earth. While we cannot fully understand the life of a tree root, we share the experience of encountering obstacles and growing around them. Like the sequoia family, our hearts and souls are buried deep.
Someone had the idea of cutting a hole in a giant sequoia for a tourist attraction in Yosemite National Park. The sound of gasoline-fueled chain saws went right through the tree, like a butcher, fouling the air we breathe — polluting our souls. They altered this proud tree but still it stood tall, though it was wounded through its heart.
A tourist picture posted next to the tree showed a Volkswagen driving through the arched hole. That visit, I saw a wide Buick slowly drive through the tree, scraping its sides and tearing off the side mirrors. How stupid and uncaring, wounding both and leaving scars. Wouldn’t it have been more meaningful to walk through the tree, touching its sides? As I looked up into the canopy, probably over three hundred feet above me, I could see no damage to the top branches. But I felt as if its entire being was hurting in unison with me. There was a white cloud peering into the top branches and raindrops showering it. Raindrops empowered the tree’s greenery to glisten with promise and renewal. | CS
