Dear Tree,
Your trunk and canopy was man’s first home.
In Eden, before Adam was expelled to roam.
Your planks sheltered man, and beast, in Noah’s Ark.
During a time when Earth was void and dark.
Your lumber facilitated man’s civilization.
You have given with bounty, without limitation.
Your timber assembled the Mishkan Sanctuary.
For Temple sacrifices, your wood was necessary.
Your logs, atop the Altar, were arranged as a pyre.
They burned sacred offerings through heavenly fire.
Your leaves have oxygenated trillions of alveoli.
Billions of palates, your many sweet fruits did satisfy.
Despite that the saw keeps cutting you down.
You still sprout forth endless bounty from the ground.
Dear tree, so generous and giving, with what can I bless you?
You deserve much praise for all that you do.
Only blessings to mankind you shall continue to yield.
Since man is compared to the tree of the field.
By: J. Stroh
