Ready with meaning in the pulpit of today,

This morning on my face, and both hands light,

The book before me and the ritual bright,

I wonder how in God's good name I can say

In any church to anyone of my kind

Gathered and hushed and willing for the word,

The Tree. The Tree's law. The truth I heard

When I was dark, a root, and deep and blind.

But you are near me. You are my people. You

Know what it is to sodden a season through.

How should I lead you, though you charge me to?

Yet listen to me. I have learned a thing to do.

We grow, we grope with a few unfolding leaves

Upward and opening toward the sun - the sun

That draws whatever green we are, and drives

Roots opening downward toward the single source,

Sun under, sun over earth, one law, one force.

Be in your earth, and there be well begun.

Climb in the dark. All ground is open door

To the open sky. Break through, reach up the air

To air above, and there green yourself round

Planets, as roots on deep-struck rock are wound.

Grown tree; boughs big; under leaf fruit found.