Trees Can’t Hurt Me | George McFarland

As I sit outside of my dorm

The grass under my feet and pants damp from the rain

I look at the trees surrounding me and realize

they can’t hurt me.

Bark can be sharp

Branches can leave a mark

Both can harm me physically

But people hurt me more critically

Thoughts that strike the heart

Words that tear relationships apart

Those come from humans

Trees don’t offer solutions

But they make me calmer

I look around again

Thinking of the times I’ve argued with friends

Resorting to nature to calm myself

Thinking of things I could've yelled.

But when I’m surrounded by trees

And the cold winter’s freeze

I see everything in a different light

And suddenly I'm not so uptight.

I get up from the damp ground

And listen for nature’s sounds

The branches swaying in the wind

The squirrels and chipmunks running around campus

This grassy field feels like mother nature’s canvas.

I look at the concrete and stone surrounding me

Grateful we even have a tree

One that doesn’t sneer or judge

Talk behind my back or hold a grudge.

Life will go on

I’ll forget which tree helped me remain calm

But what I won’t forget is how nature calms me

And the times I’ve spent under a tree

Just letting my feelings free.

Trees can’t hurt me

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George McFarland is a sophomore at UAlbany majoring in Communications and minoring in Creative Writing. He has always loved writing as an outlet to express how he feels either about a situation or a specific topic and is excited to have his piece published in this semester's issue since it's his first time being published!