Will Gerber Approximately 250 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
Greek Tree
By Will Gerber
In the center of a small university in rural New York, on the boundary of human creation and natural formation, stands a tree. Some local organizations have painted messages on this tree, most of which are ignored by the surrounding population. For the most part, the community doesn’t care about this tree, much like how they don’t care about the buildings they frequent, the pavement they walk on. No, concern for these objects pales in comparison to “larger” matters; studying, going to work, spending time with others, etc. Looking at humanity from the tree’s perspective might make it feel excluded or unappreciated, as if its labor and its functionality go completely unnoticed in the way of others’ self-interest. Why does the tree continue to provide as a medium for other people when no one takes the time to look at it? Because while contemplating its purpose the tree forgets life’s biggest motivator: its meaninglessness.
The tree was born one day, and the tree will die one day. The elapsed time surrounding these events infinitely outweighs the time between them, so what the tree does with its existence will never matter. It may feel limited, but that is the curse of existing with roots. To find comfort, the tree would do better to look at its blessings: living on a college campus with people that care enough to paint on it.