Read

"A Tree’s Decades of Wisdom"

Published:
January 30, 2024
November 15, 2020
Read "A Tree's Decades of Wisdom", a poem about a tree.|Read "A Tree's Decades of Wisdom", a poem about a tree.

brown, red, orange and yellow leaves swirl and dance through the air
taunting me with lightness and freedom
I try to catch them
to prevent nakedness and vulnerability
but if I do
the brittle things fall apart in my hands

shedding and letting go may be the best thing I could hope for
this tree will grow back all the better for it
in the dead of winter it still holds out its branches
in hope that the water flowing in its veins
and the buds beneath the surface
will burst open in spring sunlight

I surrender too
trusting that by my little and continual earthly deaths will grow strong branches
a thicker trunk more securely anchored in the ground
wider limbs for shade
twigs that bear fruit

but first
I die with the maple
and wait.

Creators:
Bond Warner Strong
Published:
January 30, 2024
November 15, 2020
On a related note...
5 Paintings That Have Shaped My Understanding of God

5 Paintings That Have Shaped My Understanding of God

Maureen O'Brien

How the “God Particle” Inspired this Comic Author

How the “God Particle” Inspired this Comic Author

Grotto

5 Steps to Becoming More Body-Inclusive

5 Steps to Becoming More Body-Inclusive

Jessica Ping-Wild

9 Things to Know When Starting a Business

9 Things to Know When Starting a Business

Sophie Caldecott

This Lawyer is Advocating for Domestic Violence Survivors

This Lawyer is Advocating for Domestic Violence Survivors

Grotto

From Unseen to Seen

From Unseen to Seen

Alli Bobzien

A reflective narrative by Alli Bobzien.

The Reward of Patience in Nature Photography

The Reward of Patience in Nature Photography

Grotto, Kevin DeCloedt

Podcast S1 | Ep. 4: Finding Empathy

Podcast S1 | Ep. 4: Finding Empathy

Grotto

The Ancient Secret to Praying With Icons

The Ancient Secret to Praying With Icons

Grace Carroll

Why I’m Ready for ESPN’s Documentary on the Bulls

Why I’m Ready for ESPN’s Documentary on the Bulls

Liz Colleran

The Song that Made Me Rethink Classical Music

The Song that Made Me Rethink Classical Music

Grace Spiewak

In an Upside-Down Pandemic World, I Found Stability in Books

In an Upside-Down Pandemic World, I Found Stability in Books

Liz Colleran

3 Ways Introverts Can Maximize Their Gifts

3 Ways Introverts Can Maximize Their Gifts

Lauren Fritz

How Venerable Matt Talbot Turned His Life Around

How Venerable Matt Talbot Turned His Life Around

Molly Gettinger

Sts. Peter and Paul Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Sts. Peter and Paul Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

"Matthew 18:20"

"Matthew 18:20"

Stephanie Konrady

Percussionist Makes Music Using Nature's Instruments

Percussionist Makes Music Using Nature's Instruments

Grotto

The Quick Guide to Making Friends as an Adult

The Quick Guide to Making Friends as an Adult

Emily Mae Mentock

3 Sweet Recipes to Make (and Share) with Friends

3 Sweet Recipes to Make (and Share) with Friends

Ashley Adamczyk

Why ‘Sour’ is More Than an Album About Teenage Heartbreak

Why ‘Sour’ is More Than an Album About Teenage Heartbreak

Jessie McCartney

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.