Green Oversight

I made an egregious oversight last week in that I did not make mention of either Earth Day or Arbor Day. Here in river city I am known as the chief tree hugger for reasons I will not go into here......although I will say it never involved chains.

There's nothing better than a grand old tree reflecting character, history and strength. And there are so many reasons why we should protect, plant and care for our trees in both rural and urban areas that I could start a tree blog on that alone. But instead I will let one of my most respected authors say it by poem.

Woods
by Wendell Berry

I part the out thrusting branches

and come in beneath

the blessed and the blessing trees.

Though I am silent

there is singing around me.

Though I am dark

there is vision around me.

Though I am heavy

there is flight around me.

For The Future
by Wendell Berry

Planting trees early in spring,

we make a place for birds to sing

in time to come.

How do we know?

They are singing here now.

There is no other guarantee

that singing will ever be.

From Collected Poems, 1957-1982. North Point Press, New York (1985). This poem first appeared in A Part (1980). Reknown essayist, poet, novelist and farmer, Wendell Berry is the author of more than thirty books and has emerged as an eloquent spokesman for conservation, common sense and sustainable agriculture. He lives and works with his wife, Tanya, on their farm in in Henry County, Kentucky.