~~Redwood trees often sprout as “tree circles” or “tree families.” From one giant, strong, beautiful tree will sprout a ring of baby trees around it, with soft, delicate, newly formed green leaves. Often times, a baby tree will sprout right out of the side of an existing tree’s trunk instead of simply rising from the soil at its feet.

On the rare occasions that Redwoods are unable to withstand a fire, their destruction serves as a beautiful new beginning for baby trees to sprout. It much resembles a picture of rebirth springing from a graveyard in every which possible direction.

Once Redwoods have forged their own roots, they are wise beyond their years, as they rely not simply on their own strength, but will reach to great lengths to find the roots of their nearby Redwoods, grasp hands, and intertwine themselves to stay grounded in the soil of this beautiful Earth.

Like the Redwood trees we sprout 

Sometimes from other trees around us 

And sometimes from solely within ourselves

~~

We grab hold to the branches of the other trees below

Deep in the soil beneath the flow 

Of all that is good and dangerous and real

~~

We hold tight to anything that can help us feel

The roots below us like earthly reminders

We are not solely of ourselves but of each other 

~~

For the roots of our tree family and our tree friends

Support our trunk, our leaves, our branches

We sway and shimmy and withstand the storms

Stand not any shorter from the fires that roar

~~

We rage and are beautiful at each moment

Surpassing the weather of time

We grow not in a straight line

But the line of those before us

Forging a path that is uniquely our own

Hold onto the branches deep below

~~

We find a crooked path that reaches the sun

Let water feed our rings and grow even just one more

We are a part of the Earth, this beauty, this world

We grasp the roots of those below us 

as our effervescence is unfurled