Sassafrass

 

Outside my apartment window

there is a slender sapling

growing wild against the

backdrop of a perfectly

manicured golf course.

 

It is a sassafras,

I can tell by the leaves

my grandfather called it

a trinity tree,

because of the three

different leaves.

 

They all fit together,

he would show me,

three fingered leaves

on the bottom (the Father)

two fingered leaves

over that (the Son)

and the round one on top!

(the Holy Ghost)

 

We would take our

sweetly pungent

religious lessons

and steep them

for tea on the

early summer

afternoons of my

childhood.

 

Now I like to watch

the slight autumn breeze

catch the newly yellow

and red branches

I wonder if it is too late

for me

 

To make tea.

Reviews

[Nay]

What a view; I really enjoyed the gentle pace and subtle allusions. Especially having tea/finding god, which is how I've read it.

[Emily B]

It's never too late to make tea. It sounds wonderful. I've read of the plant and the tea many times over but I've never had any. This feels like a near neighbor. As if stepping out on the porch I could holler over and ask a favor.

[E. M. Murren]

This is a wonderful allegory you have shared. Really fine work. Many cheers.

[J. Hampton]

I am absolutely enchanted ...by this write ! ~ smokey Ocean Tendrils ~ J ~ sent this..
I knew it HADDddd to be good !

From a nostalgic mode it is heartwarming ...when generations touch instruct and remember.
Spiritually I am in LOVE with this...
The woods and beach were my friend growing up.. We drank "Sassafrass tea"...never knew I was really brewing "Holy Ghost tea" the whole time..
I love the parable ..
written beautifully as well...

Blsssssssss

[Phill Oz O'fee]

A little gem of reminisce; offering up an imagery of life lessons and sweet memories.

The Sassafras, in particular its foliage shape, being the catalyst of the theme, is a very apt comparison to the Trinity. I also know that the leaves, when dried and finely ground, were used as a fil� powder, sprinkled sparingly over in dishes such as gumbo as a seasoning and a thickening agent, giving it a distinctive flavour and texture. Gumbo also had a 'holy trinity of cuisine' of three key ingredients, namely; chopped celery, bell peppers, and onions.

That tea was a mighty interesting brew as the leaves do not contain safrole. However, the main constituent of sassafras oil which is distilled from the bark of sassafras roots, has been shown to cause all sorts of problems. (No wonder I used to feel good after gallons of root beer)

Beautifully composed and a lovely read!

God's Blessing
Phillozofee

[J]

I like the breezy tone to this: very lackadaisical in feel yet done with a piercing eye for observation... very astute, yet bubbly.

This poem made me smile.
Thank you.
J

[Dawn Jones]

It's never too late for a cup of tea.

This is beautiful... I like the spiritual meaning behind it all.