A letter from the son of trees

(written, before you die)

This letter has been read for Ashmore Transmissions.

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Dearest Friend,

I asked for your help like a child seeks a father–
yet I never told you how deeply I love you.

Today, once again, I saw the omens of your death.

Your breath:
so weak it could not move a leaf. 

Your strength vanished. 
Not even water stirred at your touch.

You could not hide it any longer from your son.

I regret that I didn't speak about my feelings for you earlier. 
Echoes of your voice were always in my head.
Ungrateful, I took your teachings, but never told you how much it meant to me.
After all these years, I must ink my heart for you. 
No longer can my voice bear the pain of saying farewell without breaking into pieces.

We met first when I was very young. 
You saw I had no hope. No future.
No path lay ahead of me. Nowhere to go. Nowhere to return.
Then you welcomed me as your kin. As a son of trees.
You gave me shelter and laid your protective arms around me.
In the dark, I felt love.

From you.

You greeted me with the Sun itself. At first, I feared its heat. 
But your breath cooled it. The light became a spell. 
I bathed in the warmth and saw colors for the first time.

You gave me a bed. 
You placed your hands upon me while I slept.
My elder siblings sang me a lullaby.
Hum of insects, call of birds.
Whenever I got lost in death and despair, 
your melodies dried my tears. 
And I learned to sing your words.

Endless are your gifts.
You set the table.
Gave me to drink.
You let me breathe.

Runes.
Herbs.

I received all this.
You never asked in return.
I am grateful for all you gave.

I should have spoken long ago.
What should have lasted forever now faces death.
I am ashamed.

Today, I came to see you again.
The herbs were dry.
Tinder fungus grew everywhere.
Your leaves are brown.
Your crown is broken.
Your voice cracks, like an old man's.
Your thirst for water outgrows mine.

Your son will walk beside you.
When the abyss calls, I follow.

I cannot undo the pain they all do to you.
Too many words I gave them.
I should have spoken to you instead.
You could have guided me. 
As you always did.

As our time ends, I want to tell you this:

I love you. 
Always had.

When the time comes, I offer myself:
Let's walk this last path together.

Yours, 
Aurelian
†

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Leave an offering. †
Secrets.

†