" Legend Of The Dogwood"

  

            
"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 this 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 in 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 to all,
Of my agony."