Shade Tree

A tree always a tree,

That shadows forth his shade to me.

The tree of Eden long before

Tempting those who longed for more

Knowledge, power, experience,

But lacking trust, lacking sense.

A tree, always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

The burning bush

Could Moses see

More than curiosity

Ablaze with all infinity.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

That terrible Terebinth

Oh Absalom, a tithing tenth

Ensnared in branches as he went,

The royal robe of David rent.

A tree, always a tree,

That shadows forth his shade to me.

Elijah lost and on the run

A broom tree shading from the sun

He prayed to die but fell asleep

And angel’s food his soul did keep.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

Ezekiel’s cedar of Lebanon

Which once was here but now is gone

Cut down by ruthless foreign foes

A symbol of the chosen’s woes.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

Moaning Jonah could not see

In a tree-like vine, God’s mercy

And so it withered and it died,

And Jonah sulked and Yahweh cried.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

Isaiah saw Eden’s door

Fertile fig trees, no more war

But exiles failed to take the hint

Returned to fight, hope misspent.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

The cursed fig of Jesus’ day

Sign of judgment on the way

Blighted when it bore no fruit

Unplanted souls without a root

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth its shade to me.

The cross a tree on which he hung

Bore the curse of which they sung

‘His ways are not ours, our eyes can not see,

The logic of love nailed to a tree.’

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.

And then at last Jerusalem

Where rivers flow and kingdoms come

The tree of life, twelve fruits it bears

Medicinal leaves that heal the cares.

A tree always a tree

That shadows forth his shade to me.