An Ode to the Redwoods


Oh wise redwoods!
Do we humans have the good affect on you
That you have on us?
Your giant stillness of centuries
Calms our minds
With the awe and peace of being part of
God's creation.


Your bark, ages old skin,
A living antique that protects and
Welcomes shamrocks and moss.
Your canopy home to mysterious creatures,
Some never leave your crowning nest
Or are not yet known to us.



The cool, dark cathedral your
Height and foliage create
A sacred space on earth.


You don't move or talk.
Do you feel?
Do you like our hugs?
Do you know how we help each other?




Here in my car I sit, writing,
My fingers stiff with cold.
I am a little nervous
Being in this park by myself.
Looking out the window at your
Silent, dignified, majesty that gives
Lie to many of our concerns.
Life is good, your ancient presence says.
What else of your maker do you reveal?


Besides your size, we are awed by your
Length of life--hundreds or thousands of years.
You seem to have it all--bigness, endurance,
longevity, beauty.
You live exclusively in California, of course.
The biggest state in the most powerful country.
NYC doesn't have redwoods.
So they have to build skyscrapers.
A poor substitute.


Some people just pulled in--a man and a woman.
So I will rejoin you for one last visit on this trip.
But you have taken root in my heart,
Oh grand redwoods!

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