Witness

This ancient tree stands on the edge of the Cowpens National Battlefield, the site of a Revolutionary war battle in 1781 that was "the turning point of the war in the South." From the literature I've read, it's doubtful this tree stood witness to the carnage. But to me, its twisted, contorted trunk looks as if it has drawn the agony of war out of the soil.

From a distance, the branches looked barren but a closer look revealed a reddish halo of spring buds that will morph into abundant shade.