See how the trees
Reach up and outward
As if their entire existence
Were an elegant gesture of prayer.
See how they welcome the breath of spirit,
In all its visible and invisible forms.
See how the roots reach downward and out,
Embracing the physical,
The body and bones
Of its soul of earth and stone,
Allowing half its life to be sheltered
in the most quiet and secret places.
Oh, if I could be more like a tree on this Sunday morning,
To feel the breath of invisible spirit
Touch me as tenderly as a kiss on the forehead.
If I could courageously and confidently
Dig down into the dark
Where the ground water runs deep,
Where shelter and sanctuary
Can be had and held.
Ah, to be like a tree
With all its bent and unbent places,
A whole and holy thing
From its topmost twigs
To the deepest taproot
To all the good and graceful
Spaces between.
~ Carrie Newcomer, “To Be Like A Tree” from The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems, Essays and Lyrics
Notes:
- Poem Source: To Have the Good and Grace of Trees by Parker J. Palmer (Onbeing, October 24, 2017)
- Photo: Autumn leaves reflect on the surface of Tsutanuma Pond in Towada, Aomori, Japan. The Asahi Shimbun From “Pictures of The Day” in The Telegraph, October 26, 2017 (via Your Eyes Blaze Out)
Live & Learn 
Open those arms, as branches, turn your face upwards…plant your feet in your home, and breathe. This poem lives.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes. Words and construction so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is! So agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful poem of a tree, David and such great words of truth in them if we could just be like them and embrace them
LikeLiked by 1 person
So agree Kamal. Thank you.
LikeLike
Welcome David
LikeLike
I’m always learning from my tree friends.,beautiful words 🌿🍀🌿
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words. That’s it Karen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, yes. trees are so full of beauty and life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are Beth. They are.
LikeLike
“…their entire existence an elegant gesture of prayer.” Exquisite, and so, so right,particularly at this time of year when they erupt in a symphony of color. Ahhh….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. Beautiful line. Ahhh is right.
LikeLike
Love this! Thanks Dave 🌳
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is great. Agree Val.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Bright, shiny objects! and commented:
Lovely images…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Todd. I agree.
LikeLike
What a lovely poem to awaken to this morning David! Thank you for posting it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Louise. It is. Thank you. Happy Sunday to you.
LikeLike
So lovely…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do love trees. They are at least one of the pinnacles of creation, Magnificent in appearance, practical in their giving, welcoming to both man and beast.” “I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well put Marie.
LikeLike
Oh, if I could be a bird flying from one tree top to the other this time of the year.
Beautiful. ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful and elegant poem, throughout.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
GORGEOUS David! The poem, the photo and the feeling that remains after reading your post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling. Felt the same. Same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If one spends enough time with trees (and in them – I prune mine as well), one becomes more like them, I think 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think, you are right Bela.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How did I miss this?! “…as if their entire existence
Were an elegant gesture of prayer.
See how they welcome the breath of spirit,
In all its visible and invisible forms.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…she is something else…
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Sherrie's Scriptorium and commented:
This is a beautiful post from one of my favorite blogs. Happy Sunday.
LikeLike