Poem: Tree of Life by Nancy McGowin
Branches of happiness, of love, endless roots of faith, where I planted a seed, now, a place for my friend the owl to sleep
Deep in the soil, in the ginger of the core of the earth, mother nature has given life a masterpiece, a living tree
A tree has been planted, it is growing, standing tall, it is the umbrella of many colors, the shade overhead
The beauty of the world to envy, you are the home for nature, you dwell, to make a perfect landscape, to embrace
Tree to my soul, I feel your branches reaching to life, as a newly winged baby bird leaves their nest, to fly
I yearn to smell your budding leaves, the blossoms, when they open, sending a perfume of heaven scent, so kind
While my soul touches yours, embracing the clouds, with every inch of my body, with all my brain
In the hollow of a tree, I believe in an aging miracle, in memories, the sacred gift, that breathes, in each ring they rein
In the woods, I can see an old wise man face, though time, has come for him to rest, in peace he shall find
To never die, for the forest speaks your name, to plant another seed from your roots, as I gently weep, a happy cry
For centuries to come, to behold, to be free, to live each moment, to be touched in time, as my native blood flows deep
To know this valley, to know the rivers running wild, to know this place, forever to be rooted, forever feeling the rain against my face
While my arms wrap around you, just one more time, as I will always remember, while my heart beats faster, as I whisper a Cherokee chant
Tree of life, you have taken hold of my soul, I will always hunger for your love, as the blue jays sing, and dance, we shall reunite
