A poem for Holy Week

It’s Dogwood season.

The white blooms of these trees punctuate the landscape as spring begins to take over winter. My oldest son shared the following poem with me and from this day forward the Dogwood will mean so much more.

The Dogwood Tree

by Anonymous

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ’s cross, its timbers were chosen

Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so

Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown
And in the blossom’s center a thorny crown.

All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection of all of My agony.