28 January 2010

To Think On.

I share with you a poem I recently read, from the book, "Sharing Boundaries: Learning the Wisdom of Africa," by Annetta Miller.


Peace.


Every year
my husband and I
plant several trees
on a Kikuyu friend's farm
outside Nairobi


The first trees
we planted are now
over thirty feet tall


This year
I looked over into the farm
adjoining our friend's
land


A neat row of young trees
was spreading its branches


"Yes," he said,
"your tree planting
is contagious


But I gave my neighbor
the first trees to plant


If I hadn't done that
he would be very jealous of my trees


This way
there is
no jealousy
and there is
peace"

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