which tree

 which tree 

*"faithful cross, above all other,

one and only noble tree:

none in foliage, none in blossom,

none in fruit thy peer may be.

sweetest wood and sweetest iron,

sweetest weight is hung on thee!"--Jacobus Clemens non Papa

**(for t.c. on what would have been her birthday)

you tell me how trees are your refuge

how, as a girl, you would climb them

and read for hours on the Scottish hillside

wood (what kind did the Romans use?) also held

one carpenter and with Him all the suffering and

love you and this world will ever know

i wonder often which tree you chose and 

if i would sense it if i walked by; how honored

the bark that ushered you to peace

how blessed the branch that held you

-ls 5/17/25

*"Crux fidelis, inter omnis

arbor una nobilis

nulla silva talem profert,

fronde, flore, germine.

Dulce lignum, dulces clavos,

dulce pondus sustinet."

**if you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal intent, please reach out for help or dial 988 to connect with a crisis lifeline