Peering at his drawing, I said that the Ankh is the symbol for life, according to the Egyptian mythology. It is what was used to grant immortal life. ” Fingering the outline in the ground, and thinking of the Ankhs that I had in my place. Most were presents. ” A good metaphor for a plant expanse.” He chewed something in his mouth, I didn’t know and I didn’t want to know.
” I have had an idea that plants growing near the forest would do very well.” he started .He was sketching trees and flowers in the Ankh ” and might grow better without being so careful.” he nodded back towards Marie. He scratched the ground, “if we could put some forest dirt in a circle a few feet deep and get the strong plants to start growing, then they might grow on their own.”
He had this very far off look like he wasn’t sitting next to me.
I caught his hand, I felt very sorry for him. I knew what he was feeling and where he was. He looked down at my hand and squeezed it. ” I like the idea, but tell me- ” I started. Licking my lips, I paused. ” what do you know about the Forest? Old growth forest need to be preserved and not necessarily disturbed.” He just stared at me with a somber expression, for a few breaths, we just sat.
” I don’t know a lot ” he shifted and drew an outline of a tree, with their slender limbs and clover shaped flowers speckled all over. ” I’m not sure that many people know much. The forest has been here for a very long time.” He popped, hopped up and leaned down his hand to me and helped me up. He grasped my hand and smiled. Starting forward we walked in the opening. It has the darkness of an old forest. There were many saplings inside. Many trees crowding each other in a wave of growth I stopped and looked behind me. There was the grounds ,the sky and the outlines of the other buildings, but in any direction there wasn’t any area with trees or big, cyclical bushes. I suddenly felt a bit afraid of going inside the tall darkness. That far away look seemed to peer into the forest, I guess, maybe he wasn’t thinking of his home. He stopped and shifted himself. I smiled at him and started forward, along the matted down grass and the smudged dirt.

Inside and Curious

Starting forward, curiosity taking over, I went faster. Knowledge demanding exploration. I was the one who tugged now. Peering into the green gloom, leaves sparkled with the light poking through all kinds of passages throughout the canopy.
” It’s so beautiful,! an enchanting world all of its own.” I said with a grin plastered over my face like a kid with icing smeared all over. Trees encompassing us and covering the sky. The canopy forming a towering roof with several differing colors of orange, red ,shades of greens. Trees in small yellowing stars clustered together with branches bending and twisting in grey highways meandering along paths going into the unknown.
I started down the growing tangles, the paths wandering off then I was weighted down by a hand. When I looked back ,he was wary and on alert. ” “Wait!, I don’t see it. This is probably- wouldn’t be a good idea.” he turned, tugging me to turn around.
I pulled my hand loose. “How are you ever going to know if you don’t go and find out information?” I stepped forward and pushed aside a tangle of smaller limbs. Looking back at him, he was rocking on his feet.
” I wanted to show you the tree I found. Not go exploring where we have no idea– where we would end up. ” Cocking my head and letting out a sigh, I went to him. It seemed silly to me.
” Ok, where is it? I can’t say that I know a lot of trees . We would need my Dad’s field guide for that! ” I teared up and was wishing I had his whole library and my Dad beside me right that moment. He circled my shoulder and drew me into a forest as protective and encompassing as the other forest was dappled and dark. He kissed my head and gave me a hug. ” I understand that you needed a friend today.” I snuggled in and nodded. Glad to have a good ole bear hug, there had not been one more needed. “Look up at the bird on the limb”. he whispered. I moved which meant turning all the way around in his arms.
” There was a Baltimore oriole or was it a golden finch?’ I smiled like I was seeing a long lost cousin or friend . ” Isn’t she gorgeous? I love Golden finches. They are so dainty and feisty ! “‘ I was in no hurry to leave my safety net, so I just watched from where we were.
” So, Birds and trees and plants and animals . Exactly where did you learn so much about other realms.? ” In school and on field trips with my parents. Why ? Didn’t you go places with your family when you were younger?” I had to speak up loud over his arm. His head fell and rested on top of my head, (not an easy feat for one so tall, but he is limber).
He stood there and then straighten up, pulling me tighter. ” my parents died in a volcanic accident when I was young, everyone in the grounds , except for a few of us children . ” he stopped and I saw the tears slowly creeping out. I turned and hugged him tightly. ‘Time for stories, later.” I tugged at his arms and nodded towards the entrance. He didn’t like being in here.
” Ok, sir, where is this tree that is going to be the star of the Ankh garden.? I was thinking that we could plant ivy vines or some kind of ground cover underneath.” There was plenty of ivy all around. “With the flowers planted in the circular beds and the straight beds . We could have a bird bath and make a haven for the birds..Perhaps put some benches so that we could have an outside reading place up against the forest edge? “
He was smiling that tilted, crooked smile and put his hand on the smooth, tall deep silver and coffee dark bark with the magnolia green leaves.