Praise the Gods

Melodies I weave, songs I sweetly sing;

longing for your presence, to you I yearn to cling.

in the shade of trees I delight to dwell,

to grasp your mystery, captured by your spell.

I glorify you with word and song, declaring with my heart: for you I long.

When I can’t see you, I write your praises;

and though I don’t know you, I long for your spaces.

To the assembled birds and your branches speech;

you allured to your wisdom that’s beyond our reach.

The scope of your greatness and the marvel of your strength,

are reflected in your bark and described at great length.

They have painted you, but rarely as you are;

they paint your colors and portray you from afar.

They speak of you in poems and countless varied visions,

while you remain throughout all their renditions.

They try to portray you as one now young, then old,

with leaves now green, then red and turning gold.

Nothing is more precious among Earth’s good pleasures, than sitting against a tree, chief among forest treasures.

-Raysdottir 06.15.2019 adapted from “Hymn of glory” from Siddur Sim Shalom