by Sandy Racinski
(modeled after Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s ‘How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways…”
How do I love trees? Let me count the ways.
I love trees to the depth and breadth and height
Their trunks can reach, when climbing out of sight.
For the ends of Time and ideal Place.
I love trees to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet garden, by sun and moonlight.
I love trees freely, as men strive for Might;
I love trees purely, as they turn toward Sun.
I love trees with the passion put to use
In their old limbs, and with my childhood vigor.
I love trees with a love I seemed to lose
With their old leaves, —I love trees with the bark,
knots, jin, shari, of all my cuts! —and, if Master choose,
I shall but love trees better after Winter.
