An Affinity For Trees

"When I am among the trees, 
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world,
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out: "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again: "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

When I Am Among The Trees
       By Mary Oliver