Go Betweens

Trees are go-betweens
listening to the stories
of both earth and sky
the conversations
of vireos and star-nosed moles
of eagles and worms
Trees know the secrets of clouds
the dark siftings of soil
They hear the high keening of squalls
the deep rumblings of rocks
Trees whisper for the sky's damp blessings
and the earth's misty kisses
They issue warnings
They offer praise
This is trees' work
and they do it with such uncomplaining grace
it never seems like work at all.

from Footprints on the Roof
poems about the earth
by Marilyn Singer