Magnolia

Muse Billy Holiday and saint Nina Simone put me on to Magnolia Trees. their voice crackled and labored the brutality many of our foremothers and forefathers endured during the jim crow era. they contrasted the beauty of the mighty magnolia with the horrors of strange fruit. I'm not sure i knew the name of Magnolia prior to their siren songs. however, i felt it was my responsibility once i was charged by their lamentations. i found Magnolia to be enchanting. She led me to begin calling the names of her sisters as well. the more i admired her and charted her seasons, the more i began to appreciate her queendom. yes, Magnolia is a Queen. not because i said so..... She has been here since the beginning. Her roots supported her against the strength of the monstrous dinosaurs eating her leaves. She taught the bees how to extract nectar. She sheltered and warmed the first blue-black Mothers and their wide-eyed Daughters. She has been here and seen it all... 20 million years of life on Gaia. She is the true "lily of the valley." Im humbled in her presence.