As a newly confessed Tree Hugger, I will admit that trees have begun talking to me, or perhaps I am talking to them. I’m not sure any more, I could either be getting more open or even crazier. This tree in the deep woods talks to me more than any of the other trees I see. For one thing, I see a mouth and face and nose in this tree, it has character, it can tell a lot of stories.

An I mad?, I asked the tree?

Yes, for sure.

Am I scary?

To some people, yes. You have to be a certain kind of person to be at ease with you.

Am I crazy?

Yes, from beginning to end, you are mad, I’ve already said that. Own it.

Am I a good man?

Yes, getting there. One always has to keep working at it.

Do I want the right things in life?

Yes. Yes, Yes.

Am I worthy of loyalty?

Yes, but human beings are ephemeral, loyalty is the rarest gem.

Am I worthy of love?

Yes, we are all worthy of love. It is a human right.

Will I live forever?

Would you want to?

Will you come to dinner?

No. I don’t get out much.

Is Maria real?

No, she belongs to us, she is a pagan witch, a nice one. But she is an illusion.