The Names of Trees

 

I am teaching my children
the names of trees

white pine
basswood
cherry

the shape of leaves
the feel of bark

beech
hickory
balsam

how roots hold firm                                                                                                  how seeds set forth and travel

hazel
sycamore
alder

the way birds live in their branches
the way their branches live in my heart 

mulberry
sumac
mountain ash

I am teaching my children
the rising of sap
the bursting of green
the touching of sky 

maple
tamarack
spruce 

I am teaching my children
the falling to ground
the falling apart 

willow
walnut
elm 

the way seedlings root on nurse logs                                                                    the way saplings reach for light

hemlock
cedar
fir

I am teaching my children
to grow after I’m gone 

poplar
chestnut
oak 

I am teaching my children
to teach their children
the names of trees

 

Poem featured in video by the City of Waterloo for World Poetry Day 2022. Includes discussion of poem and recitation.

Published by Caitlin Press in anthology Worth More Standing

Selected as one of the winning poems by Trees for Cities celebrating World Poetry Day 2021 and International Day of Forests 2021 

Set as choral music for adult and children’s choir by Alfred Kunz with the title “Touching of Sky”