The Talking Oak
Based on a painting by William Maw Egley 1857 https://dia.org/collection/talking-oak-43438
The ancient oak stood firm, Unmoved. The limbs reached up toward the heavens. The roots reached down to the hidden rivers of the earth. They nourished themselves and drew the lifeforce of the earth to the tree. The maiden stood leaning against the tree. Her fingers caressed the ancient bark. She whispered, “Wise one speak to me.” She moved closer embracing the trunk, Her body pressed against its contours. She whispered again, “Speak to me. Please.” The limbs swayed gently. The leaves fluttered lightly on this breezeless day. Her lips touched the bark. “Speak to me.” The limbs groaned as they moved again. “My sweet friend, tell me what you wish to know.” “I have come to you since I was a child. As a young girl, I used to climb you and sit Cradled in your limbs and listen to your words. Now I am grown and soon to be wed.” The limbs shook and the leaves clicked against each other. Then the tree was still once again. It sighed, “It is your time, my little one.” Tears welled up in the maiden’s eyes. “But my husband will take me far, far from you I will miss you so much.” She kissed him softly. Tears covered his bark. She held him close. He whispered softly. “I will miss you too. I will always be here when you return.” The limbs sighed. The maiden kissed him again and held him tight. She knew someday she would come back to him. Years later, an old woman walked slowly to the tree. She embraced him, kissed his bark and whispered, “I have returned my friend .” The tree limbs swayed gently. The leaves fluttered lightly on this breezeless day. The tree whispered, “I have been waiting for you my little one.” She moved closer embracing the trunk, Her body pressed against its contours. She whispered again, “I will never leave again.”
Copyright 2025 Thomas Dean