The Waltz of the Trees

 

It was all the talk of the forest as the squirrels were huddling in their dens dishing dirt or at least observations as to what they had seen. Walnuts, pine nuts and chestnuts were generously shared with the Weasels, Stoats, Chipmunks and Ferrets all in exchange for intelligence.

The Bucks discussed it in their annual rut all the while smashing antlers to sort out their hierarchical dominance. Bobcats whispered to Mountain Lions; Badgers compared notes with Beavers. Cave bats hung around with Possums discussing these most interesting current events. In fact, the whole forest was alive with information about the upcoming annual event colloquially known as the Waltz of The Trees. This was a secret occasion only spoken of in close company with discrete friends and trusted acquaintances.

Mother Nature had cast a spell so that the trees could uproot themselves and bundle their roots discreetly in their lowest bows purposely moving forward to arrive in time for the event. This spell extended till well after the event ended so that all attendees would have ample time to return to their homes. Even the location was a secret, although one with keen powers of observation could surmise where it was to be held, as an unusually large number of Beavers had assembled in a certain meadow about a week before the big day, busily cutting, chomping, gnawing and dragging dead timbers around in an attempt to create spaciousness and comfort for the invited guests.

This was quite unlike a human dance where all the guests arrived in limousines and sporty cars leaving for their destination a short while before their arrival .By contrast one could see deciduous trees and evergreens moving for days and even weeks, proceeding towards the site, some even throwing themselves in rivers to shorten the journey on this annual pilgrimage. One could smell the upturned earth as the massive trees moved through the forest. As the date arrived the perimeter of the meadow became more and more crowded with a dense forest of different species socializing with other species that they rarely encountered in their natural habitats. The Banyans bandied about, the Ficus formulated, Ashes articulated while Maples mumbled, and Elms enunciated. The brooks babbled on about the event with the streams, tributaries, pools and lakes. The fish, deep in their pools, delighted to think of all the unusual, tasty residents of the ponds that would be flushed out by all this movement to make scrumptious delicacies for the cocktail hour. The birds of prey, all on best behavior, surveyed the area gliding high above, making sure that pests such as termites and invasive beetles knew that they were not welcome. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons all cooperating collectively and symbiotically secured the site for their benefactors who throughout the year provided a home and sustenance for all the creatures of the forest.

Finally, the day had arrived. The festivities opened with shooting stars making cameo appearances, even a comet swung by sputtering sparks from its tail followed by the last of the summer fireflies putting on an impressive aerial display dancing with multicolored butterflies. The devotions of the praying mantises were answered as it was a beautiful clear night, and all the stars came out for the show. One by one each deciduous leaf bearing tree made a grand entrance in all the beautiful colors of fall with their roots neatly gathered and bunched discreetly out of the way. Magenta, scarlet, mahogany, lemon, lime, aqua and forest green were some of the colors displayed. Evergreens stately and conservatively dressed in their dark green tuxedos advanced on schedule towards their deciduous partners to dance the night away. Soon the clearing was full of the pairs dancing to the music of the orchestra which consisted of ants playing acorn lid cymbals, while beetles bongoed on hollowed out acorns and grasshoppers, crickets, birds and bees all blended in an enchanted arrangement to create the Symphony of the Night. All three forest environments were represented the Temperate, the Tropical and the Boreal or Taiga from frozen climes. Scarlet Oaks Swung, Deciduous leaf bearers Discoed, Conifers County Danced, Walnuts Waltzed, while Douglas Firs  Foxtroted, Pines pirouetted, and Willows wobbled but did not weep as that Tiagan trees Tangoed, enjoying this comparatively warm weather. From a birds-eye view the meadow was alive with movement swaying this way and that.

After many hours the moon waned and set in the east but not before waking up the sun to take over for the day shift. The trees danced till early afternoon until tired and spent they took long drinks in the stream before saying their goodbyes and returning home to dream of next year’s arboreal assembly.                                                   

Jim
Dec '22