Tree

The trees are wiser than we.

Silent, tall, self-sufficient.

With only light and water,

they delve into the earth

and reach to the heavens.

They speak no nonsense,

they need no knowledge.

They are too wise to be clever.

Hear them rustle in the wind

(how they rustle in the wind!).

To know nothing…

To know stillness, silence, quiet…

To need nothing…

To want nothing more…

To be, simply to be…

What is a human being?

So much want, so much need,

so much fear and doubt.

But see the trees,

and hear them speaking…