What Happens When You Jump

June 6, 2009

Dorsey Connnors, where are you?

Today Don Romulo came by early to lend me his shovel and hoe so I could plant my garden. The space I’m using has three young papaya trees planted. I was surveying the space, seeing where I wanted to put which plants and Don Romulo came to look at the small trees too. He said, “This one’s a female, look, there are two little flowers!” Then he looked at the next one. “This one’s a male, it seems. It doesn’t have any flowers.” Then he told me if we tie a bra or hair ribbon around the trunk,  something used by a woman, it can change into a female tree. He sited several trees around here that have changed sex as a result of this practice. “I don’t have any ribbons”, I said, sidestepping the bra question. “Do you have any bras?” he asked “Yeah, but I use them.” “Any old ones that don’t fit anymore?” he queried. “Wait, I’ll go see.” I said. I went inside and began rummaging through my underwear, heart beating a bit fast, trying to evaluate the situation quickly. “Is this okay? Is this appropriate? Will Don Romulo seeing one of my bras give a wrong message to him? Is this custom real or is this just a way for him to make a move on me?” A stretched out old favorite flung itself to the top of the heap and into my hand. I returned to the tree, breathing a bit shallowly, hoping this would go well. Don Romulo, busy with another plant told me. “Tie it on”. I was tying the bra around the narrow trunk, thinking this was all there was to it, thinking that Don Romulo wasn’t looking, when suddenly he addressed the tree. “That you turn into a female tree and bear fruit!” he exclaimed. I realized at that moment that this was not just a custom, it was a little ceremony; perhaps the remnants of an ancient rite. I reiterated to the tree “That you give us fruit!” There was a moment of attention as waves resonated and traveled from the striked tuning fork of our bright wish into the tree. With intention planted and bra firmly tied, I began to hoe. Don Romulo returned to hacking weeds with his machete. I will keep you apprised as to the future gender status of said papaya tree!