A tree for the millennium

Original seed
In the womb of mother earth
Germinated by a desire for meaning
Nurtured by the water of evolution

Founding roots
In the fiery lava of unconsciousness
Anchored by the principles of life
Thirsty for the mineral elements of sustenance

Tender tendrils
In the dark humus of creativity
Stretched towards the warmth of light
Called forth by the sky of destiny

Budding leaves
In the gentle rays of first knowledge
Turned to face the fire of passion
Tracking forever the sun of inspiration

Sturdy stem
In the changing winds of time
Joining our mother earth and father sky
Holder of the sap of wisdom

Spreading branches
In the varied seasons of the soul
Extended in the fellowship of love
Umbrella for the shadow of opposites

Succulent fruits
In the bountiful harvest of achievement
Fermenting new ideas under the moonlight
Spawning the seeds of the future

Exquisite flowers
In the colourful spectrum of rainbow spirit
Reflected in the stars of illumination
Unfolding the petals of enlightenment

Sacred symbol
In the harmonious voices of diverse traditions
Dxui to the Bushmen, Simakade to the Zulus
Kabala of the Jews, Eden of the Christians

Tree of Life
In the cosmic worlds of seen and unseen reality
Forever the inspired muse of creation
Connect us to the forest of the living whole.

Our Mother Earth, with flaming fever
Our Father Sky, with floods of tears
Our Brother Sun, in smoke enshrouded
Our Sister Moon, toils with the tides

The fiery dawn sees its reflection
The searing noontime is ablaze
The bleeding dusk is cut with torrents
The midnight feels the waters rise

Men and women dress for battle
Armed with bucket, barrow, hose
Young and aged grasp at safety
Cling to photos, memories, toys

War cries echo 'cross the besieged land
Amidst the roar and smoke and grime
Some are taken hostage, prisoner
On island rooftops, in fiery cells

The choked skies, the drenched horizon
Pulse and throb with rotor-winged birds
Who quench the flames and throw a lifeline
Like glistening angels of mercy hovering

At last, the firestorm exhausts its fury
The smoky veil in the heavens is rent
At last, the tempest lashes its last blow
The dark cloud cloak is cast aside

From the scattered ashes, so bleak, so desolate
Bright green buds, like a Phoenix, burst forth
From the silted plains, so washed out and forlorn
Brave new buildings, like flowers will rise

From glories of summer, to tragedies of autumn
Many leaves fallen, many lives lost
With winter, lamenting and struggles for survival
With spring, healing and a new lease of life

As with the rainbow, an ancient covenant divine
This time of renewal and rebirth will come
The promise radiates from the ashes and mud
This sacred moment, when the lilies bloom