Tree by Jane Hirshfield for National Poetry Month

Tree by Jane Hirshfield

It is foolish
to let a young redwood
grow next to a house.

Even in this
one lifetime,
you will have to choose.

That great calm being,
this clutter of soup pots and books --

Already the first branch-tips brush at the window.
Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.


I originally read this on Poetry Chaikhana, which is a wonderful site of sacred poetry. You can read Ivan's commentary on this poem here.