The Tree

The land lies stretched before my eyes. Empty. A lonely tree breaks the straight line of the horizon. I'm too far to make out what tree it is, but it stands straight and tall, almost proud. It's lush, but silent. And alone. The air is still. No wind whispers between its leaves. Its not yet evening, but the sky is heavy with clouds and the sun is no where to be seen. The clouds have taken on an unreal hue, and this doesn't seem like reality. More like a picture postcard, where an inept artist has tried too hard to make an impression, and given himself away in the process. But it is there alright, unreal as it may seem.

My tree stands there, looking a little pathetic. I already think of it as my tree - I know I'm going to keep coming back to it. Its one of those frames the mind's camera doesn't forget. I look at the tree. There is an air of half-expectancy to it. Like its hesitant to hope and just stands there unsure.

He touches my hand and I turn to look at him. Our eyes meet and he reads my thoughts. As always, there's no need to say anything. I smile and he gently tucks a few stray strands of hair behind my ear. He turns to look at our tree and my eyes follow his gaze.

Its stuffy here, I say half to myself, half to him. He doesn't respond. I turn towards him and my eyes stare into emptiness, into the vastness that surrounds me. Everything is still, and empty and I look once again towards my lonely companion - the tree. I wish it would rain. I know it won't. Not just yet. I walk on. Suddenly weary.