Invocation

dear earth,
teach us to stand
like trees—

offering shade
like the oak
on a summer day,

pointing to the sky
like the spruce
to lift the spirit,

touching leaves to the ground
like the willow
to connect when lost,

making risky moves
like the birch
when too complacent,

celebrating change
like the sugar maple
turning crazy yellow-orange,

dancing en pointe
like the coconut palm
to tender a glimpse of grace.