One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’ Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’ Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’ The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’ Judges 9: 8-15
Trees
and there it appears
lost in a sea of verses
the inevitable mention of you
who are second only to the gods
in wisdom
even they saw fit to use you
in parables
make of you allegorical
sentient
knowing beings
weeping ever
through your leaves.
how many other weavers
of words
have given you voice
shape substance
worth mystery
longevity?
fools we are
to think
you merely stand there mute
disinterested
consenting to be
stripped bare each year
knowing in your heartwood
that you will be called
to even greater glory
when the peepers sing
and the days once more
grow long.
kings all
serving no one
your place at his right hand
assured
the ancient entish among you
smiling
who have known
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