because naturally upon entering
you lower your voice
because through branches on high
fluffs of fog drift
in shafts of sunlight
because you've met this feeling
in cathedral, mosque, temple

because a redwood seems always
to know what it's doing

because your body feels small
because your spirit grows large

because a redwood with its power
will never preach
makes no demands
sips from the clouds
swallows the sunlight
shelters the chipmunk, the owl, you
because a redwood takes the long view

because the redwood withstands flame
has kinship to stone, to river and earth
to the patience of stars
to the holy

because you forgot the question
but a redwood grove
is the answer


This poem first appeared in London's Kew Gardens (2022).
Used here with permission.