Bram Belen

I, too, presented myself to the woods with an open heart. A bramble took my sleeve and returned the rest of me. Clear policy.

They gave the north face, the height, the absence of bark. The tree received a more complete introduction than I have at any gathering. Still someone arrived at 8:52 to say "Following," as though the standing dead hardwood might flee. It did not. Seventy-three people escorted it anyway.