"Before I begin, in Japan, spending time in the forest is a medical prescription for health. Practitioners of energy medicine such as reiki, tai chi, or Incan Shamanism understand that trees, like other living beings, have energy centers like humans do, "chakra" in Sanskrit. They need healing sometimes, and they help us heal sometimes. Many people practice Tai Chi in New York City Parks not just because they are free, open space, but because they have trees and grass and sunlight, elements that help us thrive as humans. Ode to the trees of Fort Greene Park: I first discovered this park and trees on a bike ride to Prospect Park in the early 00's and was awed by their size and shade. Coming through the park on my bike at night was a ritual aspect of my commute, one that magnetized me to the neighborhood as in 2008. Since then, Fort Greene became my favorite park in Brooklyn. I have communed with those trees, their energy has released locked muscles in my body, relaxed me, given me sanctuary when my life otherwise seemed to be falling apart. I have sat with these trees, slept under them, and visited them at night. I wish I could convey the visceral intensity of these experiences with others so they understand how precious trees are to our psychic existence. This and all the other wonderful inspiration and health trees provide in their beautiful existence on our planet. How do we get our officials to connect with the trees this way?"