Thus says the Lord GOD: I will take a sprig from the top of a cedar; I will break off a tender twig from its uppermost branches and plant it on a high mountain. There it will grow into a noble cedar, producing branches and bearing fruit; under it the creatures will burrow and in its shade the birds will nest. Then all the trees from field to forest will know that I am the LORD, who makes low trees tall and who cuts low the highest tree, who withers the green trees and makes the dry trees flourish again. I am the LORD; I will do this. (Ezekiel 17:22-24, adapted)
Praise God
— let the dogwood sing it —
for the testimony of
the newly-planted cedar
digging deep with courage
and reaching wide with welcome.
— let the dogwood sing it —
for the testimony of
the newly-planted cedar
digging deep with courage
and reaching wide with welcome.
.
Praise God
— let the redwood be humble —
for the youthful faith of the sprig
testing new ways of being
daring to be cut off and replanted
on a high mountaintop.
.
Praise God
— let the sycamore have hope —
for ever green trees
that bear life amidst winter
that do not drop their leaves, their bark
with the decline of seasons.
.
Praise God
— let the willow sigh in gratitude —
for the deep bold joy
of orange trees bearing fruit
of palm trees dancing and sashaying
of sugar maples stretching their hands in prayer.
.
