Days Pass
by Eymi Gladys Carcamo Rodriguez
Perspective: Platinus x acerifolia outside Union Mart by UMSU
Get directions: 37°47’58.4″S 144°57’47.8″E
Days pass, and I watch students come and go, their lives unfolding before me, much like the leaves that fall one by one from my branches. Each day is a quiet reminder of the constant ebb and flow of time, and I cannot help but notice the subtle changes that come with it. Some students arrive tired, weighed down by their books or the weight of the world on their shoulders, while others come with an infectious joy, as if the very act of being here fills them with a new kind of energy. It is always a moment of beauty for me, this quiet shift in their emotions as they enter and leave that small building in front of me.
I find joy in their presence. I see them walk through the doors with bags empty of nourishment, and I watch them leave, their hands now filled with food, food for the body, but also, perhaps, for the soul. It is as if the simple act of feeding themselves allows them to carry a little bit more hope, more energy to face the day. And I like to think that maybe, just maybe, my shade offers them a
small respite from their busy lives, a moment of peace that helps them gather their thoughts and continue forward.
There is something incredibly humbling about offering shelter. On the days when the rain falls in sheets or when the sun beats down mercilessly, I open my branches wide, offering shelter to those
who need it. I stand tall, with my leaves spread like arms welcoming them into the calm space I create beneath me. It is not always a grand gesture, but it is a quiet one, a simple act of protection that brings me peace, knowing that for just a little while, I can make their day a bit easier, a bit gentler.
But it is not just shelter that I offer. Sometimes, it is a touch of wonder. My branches often play host to birds that sing and flutter in a way that always seems to capture the students’ attention. It is as though for a moment, they forget about their homework or their deadlines, and they are caught up in the joy of something small and beautiful. I can see the wonder in their eyes when they watch a bird take flight or when a leaf dances on the breeze, and for that fleeting moment, time stands still. It is these simple acts of nature that remind us all of the magic in the world, even amidst the rush of everyday life.
Years have passed, and I have witnessed so many changes. I have seen students come and go, some returning with stories of far-off places, others never to return again. I have watched the seasons change and the weather shift in ways that sometimes feel like a personal reflection of the way the world is constantly changing. But despite the years, there is still so much more to witness, so many more stories to hear, so much more beauty to find in the world around me. I hope I can continue to be here, offering my shade, my quiet presence, my silent listening, for many more years to come.
When the wind brushes through my leaves or when the morning dew gently rests upon my branches, I feel a deep connection to the world, a sense of gratitude for the simple, everyday moments that make life so precious. These small gifts — the caress of the wind, the delicate touch of the dew — fill me with a quiet longing, a desire to remain here just a little longer, to continue being a part of this vibrant tapestry of life.
Fancy responding to the Platinus x Acerifolia?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eymi Rodriguez is a master’s student in biotechnology from Peru. Science is her passion, and she enjoys classic 80s movies and music.
Words from eymi
Every time I went to the free market, Union mart, I couldn’t help but notice the big tree standing right in front of me. It felt like a friend always there, offering a comforting presence as I walked in. On those hot, sweaty days, it became my refuge, its wide branches spreading out like a natural umbrella, protecting me from the sun. Just being under its shade, I’d feel this rush of relief, like the weight of the day was lifted, if only for a moment.
There was something about it that just made everything feel calmer. The tree was so still, yet there was so much life going on its leaves gently moving with the breeze, the birds hopping on its branches, the soft rustle of the leaves almost like whispers in the air. I’d often find myself just standing there, lost in the simplicity of it all. It had this peaceful, almost meditative quality that helped me forget the noise of the world.
FIND OUT MORE
This Platinus x acerifolia can be found on the University of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Map along with all the trees across the Parkville Campus.
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