Do They Know I Was a King?

Do they know I was a King once? Do they know I was a Lord Of the mountains, rivers, valleys, Of the fire and of the sword? Do they I know was the ruler Of the trees and of the wood? Do they know I was their victor? I don’t really think they could. I was a forest King once, Back when I wore the Redwood’s crown. I spoke with each sequoia To lift me up when I was down. The trees were once my friends, there, But I was forced to leave that place, That other world of endless summer, With tears of sap upon my face. The trees here, they stand tall, too, Although their gait is ever still. The trees of other worlds would dance For me when I was feeling ill. I never thought to cut them down, To turn them into wooden homes; Why do the men of my own world Forget that trees have names their own? If the trees here knew my tale, If they knew about my pain, Would they talk to me, or silent, Stand and listen to the rain? If they knew I was a King once, If they knew me, if they could, Do you think the trees would dance? Do you? Do you think they would?