The Climbing Tree

Colonial Williamsburg, December 2005. (Click picture for larger view)

"The trees were gazing up into the sky,
Their bare arms stretched in prayer for the snows.
~ Alexander Smith, A Life-Drama (sc. 2)

This old tree growing in Colonial Williamsburg has seen presidents and paupers, Union and Confederate soldiers, and countless William and Mary students. The branches are twisted and gnarled, the trunk split into three thick and twisted forms that beckon to passersby, especially children. "Come climb with me and touch the sky," it calls. It is all that Nyssa, my grown up monkey can do to keep out of this natural jungle gym. Today it is too cold to climb, thank goodness.

Submission for Thursday Challenge topic "tree". (end of post)