The White Gumtree

And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight... Genesis 2:9 I walk among the trees in the afternoon with you. See the white gum; sunshine on the long branch is golden, but I cannot reach it. Like the second last note of a melody, this tree is beautiful to me. Do you like it too? I will pick up the sticks it drops, collect them in the council bin - dry sticks, dead. But, the tree is living; planted in dusty soil, on sandstone, beside orange flowers flaming like candles. Can a tree possibly know that it is gloriously lovely? Who should I thank for this sight? Perhaps I will be as still as these other trees tonight, and listen, sh.