Our Tree

Today, our eco-heroes planted a tree, our environmental project for September. Many, many thanks to Nick Giardino for his help and expertise - we couldn't have done it without him. Well, we probably could have, but the chances of tree survival have increased because of his involvement!

The children talked about ways that trees help us, and Joanna started our day with a couple of poems. My favorite one is this one by John Wright:

Let the trees be consulted before you take any action
every time you breathe in thank a tree
let tree roots crack parking lots at the world bank headquarters
let loggers be druids specially trained and rewarded
to sacrifice trees at auspicious times
let carpenters be master artisans
let lumber be treasured like gold
let chainsaws be played like saxophones
let soldiers on maneuvers plant trees give police and criminals a shovel
and a thousand seedlings
let businessmen carry pocketfuls of acorns
let newlyweds honeymoon in the woods
walk don't drive
stop reading newspapers
stop writing poetry
squat under a tree and tell stories.

I fondly imagine our children as teenagers and young adults, driving down Manchester Street on some beautiful sunny day. Spotting "their" tree and becoming overwhelmed with the happy memories of this place and of this time.