because a redwood grove

 

 

 

because a redwood grove

because naturally upon entering
    you lower your voice
because through branches on high
    fluffs of fog drift
    in shafts of sunlight
because you’ve met this feeling
    in cathedral, mosque, temple

because a redwood seems always
    to know what it’s doing

because your body feels small
because your spirit grows large

because a redwood with its power
    will never preach
    makes no demands
    sips from the clouds
    swallows the sunlight
    shelters the chipmunk, the owl, you
because a redwood takes the long view

because the redwood withstands flame
    has kinship to stone, to river and earth
    to the patience of stars
    to the holy

because you forgot the question
    but a redwood grove
    is the answer

……

First published on a billboard in Kew Gardens, London