Only God Can Make a Tree
Trees
BY JOYCE KILMER
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
The poem is in the public domain. Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886 – 1918)
This poem came to me while taking my daily walks and remembering the many trees I have observed and enjoyed over the years.
They have offered beauty, shelter, a rest stop, a place to climb with my grandchildren, a spot for a picnic, an opportunity to reflect on the wonder of God’s creation, a reminder of how to live my life.
Psalm 1:3 — New Living Translation (NLT)
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.”
Love this poem and the analogy of how to live my life, Karen. God gives us such obvious examples of His presence and power in our lives if be just look around!
Thanks, Heidi. Yes, trees are such beautiful examples of God’s love,
Wow! I got ‘goosebumps’ when I read the subject! Before I past your subject I said the whole poem in my mind! I was a voice major in college and this was one of my favorite songs and sang it as a solo many time. A few months ago I was trying to remember all the words to the song to recite them to a friend who loves trees like I do. So I got out my sheet music from college days, found it and was so happy to see I had almost all the words correct. Thanks, Karen! I still love trees and Orlando is full of the biggest trees I have ever seen that are not Palm trees but they are big also. Beautiful trees everywhere you look.
Thank you, Karen, love and blessings to you, Margaret
What a lovely personal story, Margaret. You may not have known this but Charles was also a lover of trees.
On my walk today around Mission Bay- besides all the birds that meander around the shoreline- I saw many different kinds of trees. God’s creation, clearly is evident here in San Diego! The Bay is truly a feast for the eyes and it’s moderate weather and sunny days continue to be a blessing for me.
I continue to miss SD and that familiar walking route. Enjoy!
Now that I am settled in Central Valley I have noticed the many kinds of trees here. A fond memory for me when I lived in San Diego is the Brazilian pepper tree in my backyard. It is like a very large umbrella. It was so nice to sit under it in the summer. Thank goodness
the people who bought my home didn’t cut it down.
I’m happy to hear you have wonderful trees where you live now.
Beautiful thoughts. Thanks Karen.
Smiles, BRC
Thank you, Beth.