Abiding

 There's no other word for them...

 although others have used

majestic,

mysterious,

towering,

giant.

It's difficult for me to articulate

exactly 

how a living

but essentially inanimate

creation

can exert such a profound presence

but visits to both Muir Woods 

and Anderson Redwood Preserve

were proof positive for me 

that they can.

The trees and forest that surrounds them

 inspire a reverence that lends itself to 

hushed tones

long deep breaths

and 

soft slow footsteps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reality that they've existed for over a thousand years

as silent witnesses to so much history

is a fact beyond my ability to comprehend.

I didn't see a single one that didn't bear scars of previous fires.

You don't live that long without getting scorched

 yet they endure.

 

 There's another word that applies:

survivors.

They were extraordinary.