The railroad was abandoned way back around '60's, in the old days, just past the midpoint of the 20th century, when men were men and the ladies were of the finer life, sipping tea at parties, waving fans at their faces, and watching the world go by as they sat amongst the plush furniture, and would wave at the evening sun.
There's no offense made here, just close on to 60 years of life and love and heartaches and feelings, all balled up in memories that may be thought of one way, lived another way. Thoughts and memories mean more than the original happenings.
That almost explains this tree. With rail from the abandoned railway, pulled up and sold for scrap, it took two people, to try and save this little tree, by driving the rail into the ground and supporting its spindly small frame. The tree reconciled its living and changed its growth, from being even with the rail, to spreading its elm limbs and standing firmer than the rest, its roots are winding around, it's trunk has moved its growth from being diametrically perfect, grasping and hugging the rail, as long as one shall stand. The truth of the hugging tree.
Ralph Peck
Photo by Stephen 'Woody' Foreman
Atoka, Oklahoma
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