Among painful outcries of billions, I decided to grow branches. With open hours to sprout, my leaves extended to friendly palms. Brushing away tears, my branches promised to grow any distance to embrace them. But, their pixelated fingertips ripped out bark. Breaking my beloved limbs, they masked their satisfaction by pressing “mute”. Now splintered and naked of leaves, I extended my last limb to their hearts. In denial, they hid their virtual firearms and disappeared at the click of a mouse. A tree once so beautiful now ripped her own roots in search of the poison that scared them away.
Submitted by Nicolette Bond, Irvine County – Irvine.