Static Crush

18th November 2008, Boston

For reasons not very specific, certain objects acquire an importance beyond what mere frequency of encounter should dictate. So too was my association with this weeping willow tree of Boston. The first few times I saw it weeping over a body of water in the Boston Public Garden was when I myself was new to the landscape. An exploratory urge had sent me spiralling from the anonymity of the suburbs into the heart of what is essentially a town sized city. The Public Garden seemed like a reasonable place to start given that I didn't know too much about the city then. 

Then in the future came the escorting trips for family and friends who were visiting Boston. This wasn't New York or Chicago with landmark buildings to show off. Prudential Centre didn't have any sort of iconic ring to it and while views from Top of the Hub were decent, the only people who referred to Boston as any sort of Hub were Bostonians themselves. So it was that we often ended up strolling the Commons and the Public Garden leading to many an encounter with said tree.

Why that specific tree when even within the Public Garden, there were many of the species? I cannot say. But I made it a point to point it out to all who I was showing around emphasising on its 'weeping willow' name for added effect. How many were impressed by this fact-hoisting I do not know, but given the sheer number of photos I have of it through the seasons, that damn tree sure did leave an impression on me. If it had grown tired of seeing me, it gave no indication and as for me, I would still be looking out for it whenever and if I am back in Boston.