Fir trees bear green branches year-round.
But take a look, and you’ll notice some dead limbs.
One tree, nestled in community, is only green near the top
with clusters of vibrant new growth lower down
where sunlight found them.

The tree says, Here I am as I am.

I want to cut off my dead branches
and move into the light,
away from those who crowd my space.

But the tree can’t move.
Maybe she
doesn’t want to,
doesn’t mind shadow and decay,
never gives a thought
to what a perfect tree should look like.

Here I am as I am, she says.

I think about it for days until
one arm branches out
Here I am
and then the other
as I am,
welcoming the sun to find
what’s greening
in me.

Here I am, as I am
Holy, Human
In this world, as it is
Sacred, Profane
Ever connected, in this wondrous luminous web
Ever abiding, in the Heart of God.
—Heather Ruce (Body Prayer)

Credits and References:
Boardwalk, Northern Section, Cathedral Grove, MacMillian Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, BC by Jim Hoffman. Used with permission
The Tree Speaks, by Esther Hizsa, 2026.
Dec 2011 (Trees by water) by Alex Cameron. Used with permission

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2026.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2026.  http://www.estherhizsa.com