Consider the Life of Trees

Consider the life of trees.
Aside from the axe, what trees acquire from man is inconsiderable.
What man may acquire from trees is immeasurable.
From their mute forms there flows a poise, in silence;
a lovely sound and motion in response to wind.
What peace comes to those aware of the voice and bearing of trees!
Trees do not scream for attention.
A tree, a rock, has no pretence, only a real growth out of itself.
in close communion with the universal spirit.
A tree retains a deep serenity.
It establishes in the earth not only its root system but also
Those roots in beauty and its unknown consciousness, and with
Such perspective, feel that man is not necessarily the highest
form of life.

Cedric Wright (from Earth Prayers, Harper Collins, 1991)