Gemotions

The poplar, its trunk split as if struck by lightning, even though the sky was clear. I had been planning to mow the lawn, but now I just stood, frozen. My hands clenched at my sides. The air felt heavy, suffocating.

I moved closer, my boots crunching on the fallen branches. I examined the split, the torn wood. There was no char, no visible evidence of an external force. It was as if the tree had simply… decided to give up. The illogical nature of the event produced a sick feeling in my stomach.