Be a tree
"Be a tree"
by Joel Howard
When I was a seed
I was not a tree
But there was a voice
somewhere inside of me
saying, "Be a tree,
Be a tree."
When the seed broke open
And sprouts came out
The voice continued though
I was nowhere to be found,
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
The sun and rain
Came down on my soil
My dreams of treedom
Were bursting, bursting
But no one could see me
And yet still within me,
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
Stick poked up
Wind felt cold
No fruit on my body
No leaves to unfold
Still silent counselors
Told my soul
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
Leaves and arms
Grew steady and small
Wind still shook me
I shivered, but grew tall
More were above me
And few were below,
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
Three feet tall
Is this how high I will be?
Will I be like all
the other trees?
I look like a plant
Not even a bush,
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
When I had arrived
Buds began to open
Joy inside was incomparable
And I was floating
I thought I was done
But the still voice was not,
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
When fruit came out
I was tempted to sell it
Surely I could open
A grand old fruit market
Was my calling to change
Now that I had arrived?
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
Winters and summers
Autumns and springs
The wind still cold
And the storms beat me
The fruit came and went
How was I to stand?
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
Would I die one day?
Would my journey be done?
To the ground I'd return
And my race would be won
What to do as I retire?
What to say as others
look to me?
"Be a tree,
Be a tree."
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