Young trees, we have great hopes for you –
we’ll set your gangly roots down in our earth,
we’ll try to keep you safe
from what would gnaw at you,
we wish you each a life of robust growth

We hope your limbs will soar and branch,
and birds will rest upon them,
we hope your roots will travel far,
communing with your neighbors

May your blossoms nourish bees,
and may your leaves be splendid,
may your shade be sweet and broad
and child befriended,
may we tend you well enough that you, in turn,
will flourish in your tending of the earth.

©Wendy Mulhern
February 3, 2023