I
had no idea that one day soon, that java plum tree would give me the
comfort and strength I would need to survive a new marriage that had
become abusive. Coming home from my show, singing each night until one
o'clock, I would stand by the tree, reluctant to go in the house. Feeling
so alone, I found myself embracing the tree like a giant teddy bear.
I felt myself becoming calmer, comforted, and after a while, strong
enough to enter the house. A bond was formed between my tree and me,
and sometimes I actually spoke to my wooden friend. I began reading
books about tree spirits and Native American beliefs, and I came to
realize that each tree, like us, has a soul.
Like nearly
all neighborhoods in Florida, we had a homeowners' association. One
day, some neurotic neighbor started panicking that the tree's roots
would damage common property, therefore costing the association money.
She demanded that the tree be destroyed, since part of the roots extended
onto common property.
I launched
my campaign to save my friend by gathering research. I had the tree's
species identified as a "java plum." I called the Urban Foresters
in three counties, and was told that the root system was not invasive,
turning away from sewers, pavement and sidewalks. I also learned that
the insurance companies have a formula for determining the property
value of trees. My tree, being well over one hundred years old, two
stories tall and ten feet around the trunk, was valued between $22,000
and $24,000. Certainly, I thought, this would change their minds.
Ignorance
and fear do not listen to facts. I got City Hall involved in my fight,
and had a petition signed by nearly everyone in the neighborhood to
keep the tree, except the neurotic neighbor and the evil attorney who
appointed herself spokesperson for the association without our consent.
Six months of move and countermove ensued, and illegally disregarding
the petition, this lawyer took it upon herself to hire the tree killers.
She twisted and ignored the laws and ordered the murder of my tree.
I had no
options left when the chainsaw arrived. A last minute call to City Hall
was in vain; she had been able to obtain the permit, paid for in part
by my own homeowner's dues. Infuriated by the impending death of my
friend, I demanded five last minutes with my tree. As I flung my arms
around her, apologizing and gasping between sobs, I realized that she
was passing her life force through me for all of her family. While the
chainsaw was taking her life, the tree gave life to this song. This
noble tree passed her spirit and message through me, and now, through
me, to you. Remember the Java Plum.
Mother
Nature's Crying.mp3
Written
and Performed By: Arielle ©1989
They're
a big part of your world and mine in a very special way
They give so much and ask nothing in return
And God gave them to Mother Nature
He said, "Take care of these. All they need is earth, some rain
and light,
And they'll become your trees.
They'll
fill your air with oxygen, and shade you from the burning sun.
They'll give you food and shelter for free."
That's
why Mother Nature's Crying
When she sees her trees are dying at the hands of man,
too ignorant to see
If you bite the hands that feed you, those loving hands that need you,
You pay the highest price, believe me, when you're through
So
if you live on Mother Earth and take from her the best
You must return tenfold to her, or we'll be laid to rest
Without her trees we'll lose the air
How can you say you don't care?
'Cause your family tree will surely be
Among the ones to die.
That's
why Mother Nature's Crying
When she see her trees are dying at the hands of man
too ignorant to see
If you rape the ones that help you live until there is no more to give
You pay the highest price, believe me, when you're through
Mother
Nature cries, "Please, please, don't hurt my trees, oh please,
You can't live without trees, I'm begging you, please,
You've got to help me, oh please,
Please, please, please, please, please....save my trees!