7 Comments
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Erin Miller's avatar

Incredible, Jesse—this is one of the most original and insightful posts I’ve come across.

Jesse C. McEntee's avatar

Thank you, Erin, for saying that. I appreciate it.

Baird Brightman's avatar

Excellent arboreal history, Jesse! 👏

"My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled,

Quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun,

All felled, felled, are all felled;

Of a fresh and following folded rank

Not spared, not one"

-- Gerard Manley Hopkins

Jesse C. McEntee's avatar

Chilling poem, Baird.

Thank you for sharing it and reading my piece.

James Freitas's avatar

What a fascinating, layered way to measure time, Jesse. We get what was going on in the larger world--presidential debate, Sandy Hook, protests; what was going on in the tree's world--sunlight, being tapped, ice storms; and what was going on where those two intersect: your world. Clearing land, your home, making syrup. Thank you for this piece.

Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

How fascinating Jesse to use your maple tree as a timeline for events. This was really interesting thank you for posting this.

Jesse C. McEntee's avatar

Thank you, Bette. I’m glad you enjoyed it.