THE HIGH ROCKS

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS,  KENT

JUNE 8 2008

For thirty five million years, the amiable soft sandstone rocks had proudly stood,  patiently surveying the timeless landscape of several individual counties from their serene and protected vantage point.

For a considerably shorter period,  a mere moment in the annals of time,  the Alien trees had grown tall and splendrous from humble crevice seed origin,  dropped through the atmosphere from an unknown galaxy,  over sleepy night scented land.

 Ethereal,  magnificent, these dominant Cathedral-like towers had risen,  with sinister intent and a non threatening form that mortals would recognise.  With cunning guile,  and size came power over the fragile rocks,  who yielded to threats of their demise.

Unbeknown to tourists,  travellers and climbers,  these alien trees had struck a deadly bargain with the submissive rocks,  to hide their fateful,  gory secret,  or be crushed by roots of strangulation,  to dwell merely in the minds of those who cared.

Such youthful spurts of growth from these marvellously deceitful trees,  such vivid colour and foliage thick and lustrous,  came at a hefty price,  as aged,  bony finger like roots danced across the surface of the soil,  to lure in passers by,  photographers, ramblers,  blushing lovers youthful and birds of a feather seeking a moments rest.

The trap laid,  the prey secured,  no turning back,  as the earth would open up in a moment of sublime,  raw violence,  those bony roots seizing the prey and drawing them deep into the belly of thier being where nutrients were guzzled gratefully and calm once more restored.

Perpetual, unceasing, relentless - those alien trees grew ever stronger, ever hungrier!