After draining and storing the nutrients from their leaves,
the trees pulled great gusts of wind through the forest,
combing the color from their branches,
each tree having been taught by its mother how to stiffen against fierce cold,
while twisted tentacles of delicate root fibers overlap,
reveling in gossip.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.