It is foolish
to let a young redwood
grow next to a house.
Even in this
one lifetime,
you will have to choose.
That great calm being,
this clutter of soup pots and books—
Already the first branch-tips brush at the window.
Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.
"Tree" by Jane Hirshfield, from Given Sugar, Given Salt: Poems (HarperCollins, 2001).Art credit: Photograph of a redwood leaf by NewLeafPics.
That's splendid, thanks for the lovely piece. Reminds me of a tree by our own house, literal and well, less-so.
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