“Beauty is its own excuse for being"

“Only death can set us apart.”

The wind broke many of the younger trees but soon enough it lifted with the rain.

“I am deeply touched”

“I am this old and tall”

The old tree took in every word and for a while was quite astounded by the truth and profundity as uttered by the pesky weed below.

“I know a lot about love because I have seen what those in love do, the pain they bear, and their joys as well"

“I am meant to be free”

“And even if you are, I wouldn’t care because for all your claimed attributes, you are really useless except for yourself."

He liked the independence and though he resented the doves that sometimes rested on his branches, they did not stay long for they soon flew away.

“They are going to cut you down, kill you, and they will kill me, too”

He was now forced to think, not so much to reply to this upstart but to reaffirm for himself, the pith, the reason for being.

“That little nuisance will be blown away and I will rid myself of her silly taunts.”