The Hopi, by Rebecca Carter
Sydney Gardens Tree Weekender writing competition — this piece was selected by our volunteer judges as worthy to be included on a long list. Competition entrants were asked to write a poem or prose piece of 250 words or fewer on the theme of trees in parks and public gardens, as well as identify the local park or garden, the trees in which inspired them.
It ended with a burial. All summer, they had curiously watched as the frogs had hopped across the cul-de-sac road, going from the pond in Number 2 Westfield Close, through ‘The Hopi’, a small amenity semi-circle of grassland that bordered the cul-de-sac, across the road and onwards.
At one end, The Hopi had two large red Acer trees, expediently placed to act as goalposts for neighbourhood football matches. There was then a small area of grassland, framed by two silver birch trees. Too tall and straight for climbing and not functional as part of neighbourhood sports, the main use of these trees was boredom alleviation; silver bark strips being pulled off like a label from a Coca-Cola bottle, leaving the dark bark exposed.
Not all the frogs made it across the road alive. On this day, the most recent squashed frog was gingerly picked up using a large Acer leaf to guard against touching the cracked, shiny skin directly. The oldest of the neighbourhood’s children decided the depth and location of the grave, placed at the foot of the tallest of the silver birch trees. A final resting place.
The service itself was an anti-climax after the build-up. Conducted in the mid-afternoon lull where shadows had not yet started to lengthen, it was over within 10 minutes. In the next cul-de-sac an ice cream van chimed. At The Hopi football was kicked toward the open goal and a cry of shirts vs non shirts went out. Life resumed again.
Amenity grassland close to parent’s home where Rebecca grew up — PR4 1EB
Read other long listed pieces here. From 24 November, discover whether this piece made the shortlist — you can listen to it using the Echoes.xyz app either within or around Sydney Gardens in Bath or remotely.
Find out about all the events running on-line or in Sydney Gardens over the Tree Weekender on 27 & 28 November 2021, and look out especially for the Celebratory Finale Showcase at which the Competition winners and runners-up will be announced.
With special thanks to Dr Richard White and undergraduate students in Participatory Media at Bath Spa University for their support in making the geo-located audio pieces.
