‘Song of the trees’
I love this poem by Joy Mead, who has generously given me permission to reproduce it here. I think it’s especially comforting at this dark time of year when we’re all (in the northern hemisphere!) awaiting the return of the light.
Song of the trees
Stories older than memory, longer than history;
gift that is rooted and whispering above;
stars in the trees, holding their mystery:
trembling creation, dancing in love.
Oak is for kingship; birch for fertility;
Hazel for wisdom; rowan for mystery;
Pine for nobility; hawthorn for death;
Holly for immortality.
Sensations of prayer, music of our minds,
waves from the past, half-remembered sounds,
stardust and earthdust, promise on the winds,
wisdom for life where beauty astounds.
Oak is for kingship; birch for fertility;
Hazel for wisdom; rowan for mystery;
Pine for nobility; hawthorn for death;
Holly for immortality.
Hope in all that has lived and is living,
seen in our frailty and moment of birth;
glitter of star become rooted, life-giving;
known in the depths of our mothering earth.
Oak is for kingship; birch for fertility;
Hazel for wisdom; rowan for mystery;
Pine for nobility; hawthorn for death;
Holly for immortality.
© from ‘Glimpsed in Passing’ by Joy Mead
Wild Goose Publications (Glasgow, 2014)
Joy is a member of the Iona Community and the author of several books including ‘The One Leaf’, ‘Words and Wonderings‘ and ‘A Way of Knowing‘, all published by Wild Goose Publications. She has been involved in development education and justice and peace work, and occasionally leads creative writing groups.
24 Comments
bitaboutbritain
That’s stunning; it stops you in your tracks, wherever you were going.
Jo Woolf
Yes! Likewise – it made me stop and take a deep breath and reflect. Real earth connection! Thank you for your kind comment.
Lorna
That’s lovely, it has a kind of magic about it.
Jo Woolf
It does, Lorna! I think so, too. 🙂
Pat
Don’t hear much from the trees this time of year, what with trying to keep the cold out. But reading this I could hear them in my mind. I should take a moment to listen more often!
I have received your book. Hope to get started on it soon.
Jo Woolf
I think the trees are always talking to us whatever the season! 🙂 Thank you, Pat! Glad you’ve got the book, and hope you’ll enjoy it.
Edith Douglas
Thanks for posting the poem; it is indeed magic.
Jo Woolf
Glad you enjoyed it, Edith! 🙂
Cornell
Very beautiful light in your picture.
Interesting poem.
Jo Woolf
Thank you, Cornell!
Marie Macpherson
the hazel for wisdom – is that why you chose the hazel tree for your blog, Jo? I love the magical light at this time of year – (keep seeing a deer at the end of the path in your photo! thanks for sharing.
Jo Woolf
It is, kind of, Marie! I’ve always loved hazels. I love that you can see a deer in my photo – I’m always on the lookout for them. 🙂 Most welcome, glad you enjoyed the poem as much as I do!
montucky
What a beautiful poem!
Jo Woolf
I’m glad you like it! Thank you, on behalf of Joy!
justbod
Very magical and moving. Thank you Jo for sharing this beautiful poem (and thank you Joy Mead!) As you say, I found the poem particularly resonant at this time of year 🙂
Jo Woolf
Thank you, Justbod, really glad you enjoyed it as much as I did! I know Joy will be delighted at the response. 🙂
davidoakesimages
I am glad you brought that to our collective attention…..judging by the previous comments it has appealed to many of us.
Jo Woolf
It certainly has, David! Thank you.
bdean50
Love this. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jo Woolf
Most welcome, glad you like it too! 🙂
Barb
It’s a wonderful, powerful poem. But does the poet mean “senations” (some variant on senate?) or is it a typo for “sensations”? (Sorry for being nitpicky, but I’m a word person and cherish the value of every written word, especially in such a well-crafted poem as this.)
Jo Woolf
Barb, you’re sharp-eyed – thank you! It is ‘sensations’ and I take full responsibility as I typed it out! Have put it right now. Thanks for your appreciation of this lovely poem.
julz
lovely poem – thanks for introducing me to it – smile
Jo Woolf
Welcome, Julz! Thank you for your comment! 🙂