The Biblical Maples

The Biblical Maples

Andrew Lansdown

1

Like the bush Moses
saw burning but not-burning,
this autumn maple …
Should I, too, take off my shoes
and bow in awe and worship?

2

I heard it happened
once before, in Daniel’s time,
men unharmed by fire.
Now here I stand unalarmed
in this fiery maple furnace!

3

The maple’s passion
is to portray Christ’s Passion
in the night garden:
I share their ache as they shed
monstrous spatter-drops of blood!

4

The Holy Spirit
must indwell the maple tree …
From the lofty blaze,
a little flame has torn free
and is drifting down on me …

---

Andrew Lansdown
Poet

Photography by Ida M.H.W. Perez