The Story Behind This Little Tree

Written by Zena Edwards

Image Credit: Zena Edwards

I am founder of a project called 'Nature Persists'.

I think about the fragile natural world and its insistence to exist. I took this photo of this delicate poppy flower on a 4 lane A-road, next to a bus lane. It is bordering on defiant in its flaming red. But those filigreed petals cling...

Image Credit: Unknown

When I saw this little tree growing between these tightly positioned hard concrete pavement slabs along the side of a road (not my image btw), I thought 'but how?!' 🫤?.... Nature Persists.

It is the little icon tree for the banner and e-flyer for the new Synergy Slam Poets Poetry Film Competition and Workshop Program.

Nature has no need of a question mark
a root searches - a tongue tasting ‘Yes.’

And here is the nourishing soil
the water
here is the light
here is where I will open
to chemical filter of sun light to energy

it is a small wonder to live
the cadence, the largess of insisting.

A tiny tree, breaking concrete
Feisty, present, powerfully pressing
molecular concrete structure aside -
excuse me, I’m growing here!

- Zena Edwards

Find out more about Nature Persists - www.naturepersists.com