(shared at february 2026 multifaith prayer circle for palestine)

dedicated to all who would live in peace but were born into a time of war, who turn and face the moment with open hearts, a comrade spell for trees

comrade

we must be trees now

we must weave together at the root now

hold each other in ways

only the dirt can see

soft bark bend to kiss her face

without breaking

comrade

we must be trees now

whoever has been safe enough

to grow tall

must be mindful canopy

drinking the sky river

pouring the abundant sunlight

down to each other

waterfalls through our pitch black veins

we must cover the smallest of us in green

feed the sprouts and the saplings

comrade

our lives are in danger

and our lives are precious

the forest of the world

feels the loss of each pine needle

each leaf

each battered bark

we know every life kindled matters

we know every forest swallowed matters

there is no tree more sacred

no tree less

comrade

if i could save you i would

i know it isn’t up to me

i can only meet the moment

with my dignity

i will live as long as i can

to be with you

in every possible way

feel me with you

comrade

a year of fire is upon us

and we are winter wood

dry from a season of weeping

some years we can only witness

as they come at us with axes

this year we burn

we taste each other’s ashes

but miraculously, meekly, we live on

without abandoning each other

or the land that holds us home

we let ourselves be known

in this lifetime –

that may be our victory

comrade

they have turned us into tables, walls, ladders and chairs

but we held up no lie

we pulse at night

haunting colonial dreams

with our memories

with our beauties

with our truths

comrade if i am needed by the fire

i will burn bright enough to scream

let this be for good

let this be for sovereignty

let this be for freedom

let this be for love

let this sacrifice

be worthy of the day to come

comrade

we must be trees now

if nothing else

whisper your heart into an acorn

and release it

trust the earth to remind us

how to live

in this way comrade

we have always survived

in this way beloved

we will always survive