May Photo Prompt: The Friendship Tree

Standing beneath the pale pink blossoms

words swirl around and through the air

advice

comfort

companionship

often the only adult sounds they hear

in a child-filled day.

The tree stands guard over the town

watching the people scurry about

their day-to-day affairs.

A woman cries on the bench beneath and

the tree drops sympathetic pink tears

floating them down on the breeze

to let her know it is there

listening.

It will prop her up

until she can stand alone.

Laughter rings out

as children race through its shadow

then collapse in a restless heap

at its base

young limbs sprawling across its roots

ice-creams melting in the heat

Its crown the first sign of spring,

the tree listens

to the wind in its branches,

watching as the petals drift on the breeze

to crown the people below

Every day the tree listens

to their conversations,

witnesses the unspoken love between them all

adult and child alike

sharing their woes and triumphs,

commiserating and celebrating

in turn.

A village?

A town?

A community.