“whether the tree was planted
and staked with intention
or whether it was a wild sapling
destiny pushed through
the undergrowth of the norwich cemetery
i don’t know
but God knew and God knows
the branches spread a shade
of peace over my companions
and God knows us each
and our resting places
and i hope to lie under it too
or under another of the guardian
trees of paradise
in paris or constantia or abu ayyub
or on the mountain top
under the cork oak beside the great qutb
trees watered by the mercy of centuries”

from guardian trees
In memory of Abdalhamid Evans RA
– Idris Mears
in A KALEIDOSCOPE OF STORIES
Coming soon from Lote Tree Press