Willow Gleam Unisex T-shirt

Description

Willow

For endless seasons I have stood alone in Fountain Square Park, roots deep in the earth and branches embracing the sky. I am surrounded by a species that does not even know I exist.

One day, a crying girl rested against my smooth white trunk. As she sobbed, I heard “Why won’t Abbey leave me alone?”

Compelled to help, I asked gently, “Hello? Do you need some help?”

The girl jerked away in alarm. “Who is that? Get out of my head!”

“Please don’t be afraid, I mean no harm,” I soothed. “The others of your species seem to be unable to hear me, and, as you can see, I have to wait for someone to find me.”

The girl hesitated, staring at my weathered white bark. Curiosity won out over fear. “How can you talk? You’re just a tree.”

I chuckled. “I am far more than I seem, though I’ve not had anyone to talk with in a long time.”

“What’s your name?”, she asked uncertainly.

“My name is…”, she says, as images appear in Willow’s mind of the seasons passing by in a blur, the sun arcing overhead, the strain to reach ever higher, and an underlying vibration that feels like the earth in the spring.

“Oh… maybe I can just call you Belle, like the shape of your flowers.”, she said with a grin.

Years have passed since that fateful summer afternoon. The once uncertain girl is now a confident young woman named Willow, her dark chocolate hair transformed to a living green that flows over her shoulders.

My branches cool her as she rests beneath my canopy. Willow’s gift allows her to communicate with me and manipulate as well as heal plants. She feels it is her duty to nurture new life in the land and heal plants damaged by disease or storms. My Willow has blossomed into someone who will leave the world a better place.

Willow believes change has to happen before Luzmeria can ever become reunified. Tensions between the districts had calmed in recent years, and Willow sees an opportunity to get her message out.

“Now is the perfect time to start talk of reunification,” Willow said. “If I can get people thinking and talking to each other, it could create real change.”

Belle’s ancient branches swayed gently. “You could use your gifts to spread your message of peace.”

Inspired, Willow made a plan. She would transform the walls between districts with stunning living art representing harmony and peace.

“This will work!” Willow declared. “My Unity Gardens will help plant seeds of hope and change.”

Belle felt proud of her young friend. Though the path seemed long, she believed in Willow’s vision. The beauty of the gardens will help people connect with each other.

Willow spent months planning, gathering seeds and cuttings from plants all across Luzmeria. She was finally ready to plant the Unity Gardens.

“Settle down and remember to breathe.”, Willow told herself as butterflies did acrobatics in her stomach.

She pictured a crowd, drawn to the beauty she would create. Murmurs of wonder would ripple through the crowd as vines unfurled and exotic blooms opened. The walls dance with color and life.

Willow knows that some people are not ready to let go of hate. That she would hear people shouting “The old ways are the best ways!” and “We don’t want you in our neighborhoods!” What if nobody wanted peace and reunification?

Willow refused to give in to her anxiety and focused on her goal.

The night before planting, Willow’s thoughts seemed to be going in circles. The excitement that planting day was finally here, but she also felt anxiety about how people will react. She wants to see joy spread across their faces, to hear gasps of delight at the gardens. But knows she may see uniformed men burning down her gardens instead.

Willow rested beneath the shelter of Belle’s branches. “The gardens will be my masterpiece,” she said, “but I’m nervous about what people will think of the gardens.”

Belle whispered reassuringly. “Stay true to your vision and people will understand.”

In the hours before dawn, Willow went to the walls separating the districts, carrying bags of plants and seeds. She worked quickly, planting at the base of the wall. Her gift encourages vines to unfurl along the barriers and exotic blooms to open in splashes of color.

Suddenly there is the sound of approaching boots, Willow feels a spike of fear and punches her in the stomach. Moving slowly, she coaxes the vines to cover her as ivy would cling to a tree. She holds her breath, trying to blend into the plants and shadows. The guard seems to be moving slower than a turtle taking an evening stroll. Her nose is itching her and yet she can’t move or the guard will see her.

“Hurry up, hurry up!”, Willow thinks to herself, listening as the sound of his footsteps begin to fade.

Once the danger had passed, the vines retreat and she emerges, heart pounding but safe. She glances around before continuing her work, determined to finish before another guard arrives.

As the sun begins to rise, Willow focuses all the potential of her gift on Unity Gardens’ growth. Lush gardens rich with life transform the cold grey walls into visions of beauty and life.

As the sun rose higher, a crowd gathered, drawn by the vibrant colors splashed across the once dreary walls. Talk rippled through the crowd as flowers opened and bloomed in moments; while vines danced in the breeze, infusing life into the concrete canvas.

Some faces lit up with delight at the beauty before them. But others wore frowns, shaking their heads.

“Living graffiti!” an elderly man shouted, jabbing his cane at the gardens.

“If you don’t like it here, then move!” yelled a woman, glaring at the vines encroaching on her side of the wall.

Willow’s stomach twisted anxiously, but she lifted her chin. She had known reactions would be mixed.

Suddenly a little girl broke from the crowd, skipping up to a flowering vine. She giggled and pressed her nose into the petals, breathing deeply.

The girl’s mother hesitated, then followed behind with a soft smile. She lifted the child so she could touch the swaying blooms.

Willow’s breath caught at the simple joy on their faces. She watched as more people stepped forward, expressions shifting from suspicion to wonder as they took in the garden’s beauty.

There was still uncertainty in many eyes, but Willow felt hope rising. This was just the beginning, the first seed planted. She would nurture understanding and connection between the districts. In time, her gardens would draw people together.

Willow smiled up at the vines twining gracefully along the wall. She could already envision how the next design would look. For now, her work here was done. As people lingered amidst the flowers, Willow slipped away, heart swelling with pride.

About the T-shirt:

This T-shirt is everything you’ve dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It’s comfortable and flattering for all.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!