Prayer Warrior Trees

Prayer Warrior Trees

Philip C. Kolin

They weave papyrus-like hymns
in the language of leaves
about the blazing seasons sending up
love letters to the sun. Or wrinkled
requiems down to the crisping soil.

With their massive arms outstretched
they can prepare sermons about
the wisdom of green.

But their limbs can push
aside cables and wires and
send prayers up to the heavens
in moonlit strokes on blackboard skies
begging for solace after a storm.

They also choreograph the wind’s
wonders, soughing or bristling or
still as a pond in January.

They convene choirs for matins
and vespers in nature’s cathedrals.

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Philip C. Kolin
Poet & Professor

Philip is the author of numerous poetry collections, including Reaching Forever (2018, Poiema/Cascade). He is Distinguished Professor of English (Emeritus) at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Photography by Vladimir Gladkov