“Thank You, Trees” by Joan Y. Edwards
I like the poem “Trees” by Alfred Joyce Kilmer. I have to admit, I always thought Joyce Kilmer was a lady. That’s why I added his first name as the author.
Trees
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer
http://www.public-domain-poetry.com/alfred-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.
(Public Domain)
One of my favorite books is Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree:
http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Tree-CD-Shel-Silverstein/dp/0060586753/.
Isobella Jade, mother of a baby boy, Phoenix, revised the book. She added what each of us wish the tree had said back to “boy” in the book. She tells about it in her blog.
Isobella Jade’s Revision of The Giving Tree: http://phoenixbabybookclub.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-edited-giving-tree-for-my-son-so-that.html?spref=tw
Imagine what the following pictures would look like, if everyone treated trees like the boy in that story. I cried when I passed a section on Randolph Road in Charlotte, NC where they were chopping down trees. It was over an embankment. I couldn’t see the machinery, but I saw the tree tops tilt and heard them fall. It was like they were saying to me:
“We wanted you to save us. Save us. Save us. Now you’re too late. Too late. Too late.”
There are cities, towns, and villages that make provisions to preserve trees for parks. Thank you for doing that. I wish I had the money to purchase the land that has trees on it and make stipulations that they never be all cut down or sold for development. I’ve never set up a fund in my bank account to save money for this venture. I haven’t put my money where my mouth is. I do pray that people will be good stewards with trees and preserve as many of them as they can. I do the best I can to protect and preserve the trees on my property.
Thank a tree near you today. You’ll breathe better. They put off oxygen for your to breathe. Breathe on trees. The carbon dioxide you exhale helps them grow.
Plant a tree in memory of a family member or friend. Plant a tree to honor someone who helped you in life. Plant a tree to celebrate your birthday, wedding day, or anniversary. Plant a tree to say, “Thank you, Trees.”
Trees shelter houses from the grueling sun.
Trees survive the coldest weather.
Trees provide shelter away from the sun in public places.
Trees make good shelter for animals to hide.
Trees make beautiful scenery to see in person or in pictures.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Share your favorite poems and stories about trees.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2019 Joan Y. Edwards
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Thank you, Joan. I also love trees, and cry inside when people kill them, especially for no good reason.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for writing. I am glad that you are like me in that you love trees and cry on the inside when they are killed needlessly. Do something fun for you today.
Never Give Up
Joan
Joan,
Thanks for sharing about trees.
I read the revisions made to The Giving Tree. I understand the parent’s desire to revise the book. Personally, I feel the book is sad, but instead of revising it, a parent and child could have discussions about the boy and tree’s relationship and how it could have been different. Maybe they could make a list of things the boy could do for the tree, etc.
Yesterday, Lou and I discussed the possibility of planting a willow tree. We love trees too.
Dear Linda,
Thanks for writing and sharing great ideas of how a parent and a child could discuss ways about how the boy could have made it different for the tree. You are very wise.
Do something fun for you!
Never Give Up
Joan
I love sitting on my deck in the morning shade from the many trees behind our home. We are one tree less this spring because of bad winds knocking one over This was a walnut tree and the sad part is, the squirrels will be forced to go elsewhere next fall to collect their winter food supply.
Dear Gretchen,
Thank you for writing. Thanks for sharing your love of enjoying the shade of many trees around your deck in the mornings. Trees give us great comfort when they shade us from the grueling sun. Perhaps you could plant a new walnut tree! You could even try from a seed in a small can of dirt. However, squirrels are creative and adventuresome. They will find food. May you always have shade!
Never Give Up
Joan
I, too, love trees and cried when one of mine died. It was a pine I spent a lot trying to save it. The neighbor’s tree made it sick and finally it had to come down.
Dear Maureen,
Thank you for writing. It is so good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing that you love tress and cried when one of your trees died. It is definitely sad to see trees fall. I hope you find new trees to give you solace and comfort.
Do something fun for you today.
Never Give Up
Joan