A Great Tree A Great Soul

An old spiritual, often sung at peace and civil rights demonstrations, is Just like a Tree that’s planted by the waters; we shall not be moved. Maya Angelou was a great tree and a great soul. She was like a tree planted by a river…in all that they do, they prosper…She prospered in all that she did, and she taught us about strength, resilience, and healing for the world.

And as we say good-bye to Maya, and celebrate her gifts of wisdom and hope, let us remember her words of wisdom in an excerpt from her inaugural poem "On The Pulse of Morning." 

There is a true yearning to respond to the singing River and the wise Rock. So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew, the African, the Native American, the Souix,The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek, the Irish, the Rabbi, the  Priest, the Sheik, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, the privileged, the homeless, the Teacher.

They hear. They all hear the speaking of the Tree.                                          They hear the first and last of every Tree speak to humankind today.          Come to me, here beside the River.   Plant yourself beside the River.

“And as we said good-bye to Maya…on Monday June 2nd in the news of hope. The Environmental Protection Agency announced new restrictions on power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The restrictions would reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from existing power plants by up to 30 percent compared with 2005 levels by 2030. In an unprecedented shift away from coal toward clean energy sources, there is hope for healing. The announcement of the proposed restrictions from within a children’s hospital where suffering from asthma and other environmental health issues are very real, was meant to remind us of the very real need for healing for our children and future generations.”*

 *Interfaith Partners of The Chesapeake