"I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree"Excerpt from "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer

And as I get my mind wandering about the world of Star Wars as I gaze out our living room window, I see the trees outside and think of their beauty. I think of the serene world of Naboo and its lush surroundings and I think of Endor and its concealing forests, and also of Kashyyyk and its treed home of the Wookiees.

And I also think of the blog
by granny-wan in which she described a few moments by the poolside, taking in her surroundings and looking at the things we normally don't see. And I also recall Nob01's comment that we should look at each of the leaves on a tree that make up the sum ... a wise statement indeed.

I, too, like to notice of the things in life that we normally don't stop to take a look at or just breeze by because we're too busy. I try to take notice of the cracks in the sidewalk, of the neat clouds in the sky and of the leaves on the trees. It's through seeing all the sides of nature and life that we can really enjoy the gift given to us in this world. And as I visually took in some of the trees in the neighbourhood I got to thinking how they can represent the Force here in our own world. To me, the trees represent the Force in that they are strong, steady and patient, and are worldwide.

They are strong in that they can weather many storms and continue to hold up and bear their leaves and / or fruit season after season. They always have life flowing through them much as the Force flows through life. They give life even in the darkest of days or the fiercest of storms, and will continue to do so unless uprooted or cut down. The Force is strong in those that choose to believe in it and protect it ... much as a tree remains strong if it is protected and cared for. It will do good for those that are kind to it. Now the Force will respond to those that choose good or evil, Jedi or Sith, but will always be strong in the faith that is put in it, much as a tree will remain strong no matter who takes care of it. Which leaves it up to the individual to decide how they will plant their tree.

Trees are steady in that they become rooted in the one place that they call home. Once they adapt to their surroundings they can thrive and give life to those that come to it. Much as the Force becomes rooted in the people that can harness its powers and its gifts and can enjoy the fruits it has to offer. The Force can be a steady friend, always there to look upon for beauty and guidance and a steady hand. If I might, I'll compare planting a tree and watching it grow over the years and becoming stronger in the soil and offering the protection of its branches and leaves to the power of the Force and its growing strength in a padawan. Over time, the Force will root itself in a learner, branching out in various powers and growing with that person, helping them to be a steady tree.

And trees are patient. They sit in their one spot they are destined for and are not driven by ego or passion or emotions. They don't complain or make a fuss or refuse to do something because its not want they want to do. They continue to shed their leaves and re-grow them year after year and will always continue to provide life and protection to those around them. And they are living. And they are like the Force in that the Force is also patient. It has been there through millenia of Sith and Jedi wars, through a whole cast of characters that have manipulated its very gifts for their own purpose and through balance and inbalance. Like a tree, the Force is not driven by ego or passion ... it just is. It is used by various people that have a means to an end whether it is for good or evil. It provides life and protection of those who desire and respect it and take care of it.

And much like the Force is a galaxy-wide entity, our trees are a world-wide entity as well. We all know them and we all need them, much as the Jedi need the Force. Life flows though our trees here on Earth and they provide for us in ways we don't always see. As I mentioned earlier, I like to see the things in life that aren't always obvious, things that you need to stop and really look at. We all see the trees, but do we really see what they do for us? The Jedi knew what the Force did for them and tried to use it to help them, but to what end?

I see the Force for the trees and also, as Nobby points out, the sum of the leaves that make up the whole.