Trail of Trees
I have a deep connection to trees, and I was thinking about trees lining a path, after seeing a photograph posted by fellow LYS contributor, Raquel. I wanted to know which trees lined the Trail of Tears, specifically, and greeted the Natives that walked those many miles. Interestingly, there are numerous trees that are bent oddly, have grown together in unique ways, or form shapes that are not commonly seen, including benches where trunks have split into an extended Y shape, or where a single tree created a little seating area where the tree has grown downward and then back up in a normal fashion. Most of the research supports the belief that the Native tribes of the different areas, along The Trail, manipulated these trees, years prior, in order to create markers of various kinds to help hunters/gatherers, etc… I, however, decided to use the idea that the trees themselves, being sentient entities, saw a need, and wanted to help those in peril, even if it was for a brief period of time. My three times great grandfather was 7-8 years old when he walked the Trail of Tears with his family. He lost loved ones along the way. I wanted to write this from his perspective. This is for you, Ezekial (Zeke) Proctor.
Crisp air hits his youthful pink lungs
his nervous energy
doesn’t let them fully inflate.
No time to gather favorite things
fear is clouding the air.
He counts the passing lofty pines
his mind travels away
to protect his eyes from their view.
Slowly does his family move
he steps softly into their wakes.
A Trail Tree soothes his weary soul
It points the way safely
or so he convinces himself.
It could be a marker
of a heavier toll she bears.
For his eight years he’s known these trees.
Their new lamentation
is a foreign tongue to his ears.
Grieving for human friends
Snowy flowers are loosed to mourn.
Cottonwoods stretch to protect him
He feels their limbs take hold
he smiles once thanks to their comfort
he can’t escape their gaze.
The soldiers urge them to press on.
‘Farewell shoes’ he whispers through sighs
and limps along The Trail.
The trees still lead but they are bare
icy snow numbs his feet,
his soul shudders with too much toil.
‘Oklahoma’ the Sergeant states
‘a new home you will have’.
It matters not what he wishes
even needs are of no import.
The trees begin to change their shape
and try their best to soothe.
Pinyons let loose along the path
provide a snack this day.
He now hears the hum of thousands
no songs of greetings though.
Fond farewell to his Trail of Trees.
7.11.20
This is incredible. Such a magical idea to be the journaling hand for your ancestors. The Trail of Tears- whew.
Thank you.
Some days I can just FEEL him. I am not directly connected to that part of my family (uber long story), to that lineage, sadly. Yet, I FEEL them, some days I sway to a music in my head that I think they may be singing, or have sung. That’s the first time I’ve put it into words like that. Your comment helped me describe something I haven’t defined for myself, before.
Thank you. LYS.
Wow! More serendipity on this site!
April, just last week I was researching some family history on my father’s side that I found in an old storage box. I discovered my 4xG grandfather – Malachi Watts (1790-1870) was full blooded Cherokee, & would’ve been in Tennessee during the time of the Trail. My 3XG grandfather, Marion Watts, was granted citizenship in the Cherokee Nation in Muldrow OK in 1871 after immigrating from Tennessee. That’s all I know at this point.
So we are Cherokee cousins!! How about that??
And just a few days after this discovery last week, the Supreme Court confirms the status of the Indian Territory my ancestors settled in Oklahoma. More serendipity!!
How cool! What a wonderful find!
Yes, the effects Supreme Court decision are going to be fascinating to witness.
The Serendipity continues….further research shows my Cherokee ancestors were part of the Paint Clan. I found an article that lists the “notable” surnames of the Paint Clan, and the surname Proctor is listed as well as Watts! Could we really be Clan sisters???
I also love this poem….once again, the imagery blows me away!
It’s as though you channel him. Them. April this is flat out amazing. Like Kara, I love the idea of your journaling the walk of your ancestors. Speaking for them. Reminding us. It’s a miracle they survived. It’s a miracle you are here. That trail was brutal, so many didn’t make it. The trees saw it all. Have I told you lately that I love you? Well, I do. 💖
Thank you, Dana. The comments from you and Kara are helping me realize that I FEEL Zeke. I’ve always felt connected to him, his struggles, his passions, his temper, and love for his people. Thank you for helping me find a definition, or a way to describe those images that come to my mind.
Thank you for reminding me that miracles come in all shapes, sizes, and visions.
I LOVE you, as well, dear Dana!
As Dana said, “The trees saw it all.” Walking the trail at 7 or 8 years old. That’s heavy stuff. I can’t imagine. Such a moving tribute to Ezekial and his journey. I am so glad you included his picture.
Thank you. I cannot imagine it at all, either, truly heavy stuff. When I was probably 9 or 10, I wrote a paper on him, as his adult history is well documented. I think that was when I began to day dream of him, I wanted to know him, and became fascinated with that part of our family we did not know, personally.