Worship (Barthalomew Sonnet)

The task today is how to carve a tree our solemn way: make totems of a tree: fox shapes, crow forms, wise masks. Just any tree won't do. In storms, look for a dancing tree; in calm, go seek a stately, whispering tree that, like a church, holds quiet. Hear that tree-- unguarded conversation of a tree is worry about squirrels, bird nests. Tree of Life, of beams, the Balm of Gilead--tree that sways, and dreams of sails. A secret tree with beauty hidden in growth rounds of tree for lumber. If you find the proper tree the first sun catches golden on that tree while lasting rays cling longest on that tree.