By Faith Brown, Resident at Lodge Lane Assisted Living
A celebration of nature has always been our mission
As Tu B’Shvat arrives this month, a holiday tradition
Yes, it’s still winter, but the days are visibly longer
Beneath the earth life is reasserting itself, even the sun seems stronger
Not mentioned in the Bible and yet, we’ve always prayed
“To sit under our own fig tree, and never be afraid”
There are no special laws or prayers that we must say
Just plant a tree in Israel on this Jewish Arbor Day
To plant a tree says, “I believe in a future when wars will cease”
And like our trees, our arms will be open to love, and our people will live in peace
Despite sad times, we must not fear
And believe the trees will bloom again next year
And to those who say, “We will never be free”
Those are the people who don’t plant a tree
Let us grow like trees with solid roots
And put away the soldier’s boots
As we celebrate this month of Tu B’Shvat
Tied together with the land of Israel in an unbreakable knot
Happy New Year, Trees!
Dedicated to Joyce Kilmer, who wrote:
“Poems are made by fools like me,
But only G-d can make a tree.”
