"trees of life"
two trees feeding on the same ground
growing together when they were found
years enjoying one sun and one moon
also drenched in the rains of monsoon
throu' them winds blow, hot and cold
they stood together, their roots tightly hold
yet they bear fruits not for each other
not even for a child, mother or father
they are the trees of life: good and evil
mural, Bro kyrka, Gotland
two trees feeding on the same ground
growing together when they were found
years enjoying one sun and one moon
also drenched in the rains of monsoon
throu' them winds blow, hot and cold
they stood together, their roots tightly hold
yet they bear fruits not for each other
not even for a child, mother or father
they are the trees of life: good and evil
The Lutheran church at Bro, northwest of Visby, Sweden, was probably built on a pagan religious site. A Catholic church was erected in the 12th century, but the current structure was built in the 13th century, including its interior decoration.
ReplyDeleteThis is a deep deceptively simple little poem that reminds me of something that England's great poet-mystic William Blake could have written 200 years ago. For example, "A Poison Tree."
ReplyDeleteI was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine,
And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.