21 Comments
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Lor's avatar
Jul 27Edited

I was walking on a wooded path up here in Vermont just yesterday, stopped next to a big old Maple, there was something carved in the bark, but long bending branches and lush angled leaves almost completely covered it. Ducking under for a closer look, I reached out and began tracing letters with my finger just to be sure. I swear, though old and faded with time it said ; Springrose + Herman 4 ever

And just underneath, scarred and battered by weather, a heart with a comma inside.

Easing my mind from Vermont with a comma.

Lovely🍏

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Lovely, Lor. The sequel will be in the Green Forest.

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Lor's avatar

Thanks, Adam. It came to mind while I was on my usual hike through the forest this morning. There is a tree that has a natural scar shaped heart , quite large ( enough to fit all that writing ) where the bark is missing in the center. I had read your story last night and walked by it today, picturing those words. And I was pleasantly surprised to find a green apple emoji, that song was perfect.

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Lor's avatar

If you ever write a sequel, I have a photo of the heart tree, you’ll have to work your magic to add the words .

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

I don't know why but I suddenly started crying

I prefer this kind of crying though

Thank you, Adam

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Adam Nathan's avatar

What a pleasure to read. Thank you, Chen.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

Well done (David with a comma).

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Adam Nathan's avatar

You're welcome,

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Holly Starley's avatar

Love this with a comma. 💕

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Herman sends his love,

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Miss. Stimson is a wise bird. Bless her heart for redirecting that young man’s eros.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Bless her heart indeed. 😊

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Rob Woller's avatar

This is fantastic✌️

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Thanks, Rob.

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Annie Blackwell's avatar

That's so beautiful. To this day, 75 years and six days minus four grades, I have problems with commas. I think we use more of them than we used to ... or is that just me doing it right at last?

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Commas are my jigsaw puzzle, tucked away in a closet, that I keep meaning to take out and really solve once and for all. In the meantime, I sprinkle, them, everywhere.

(And thank you for the compliment.)

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I loved this, Adam. (comma included).

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Adam Nathan's avatar

❤️,

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Tommy Swerdlow's avatar

Whimsy with a little ache. One of your calling cards.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

That's about right: "whimsy with a little ache." Thanks, Tommy.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I loved this one.

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