Among the trees of the wood,

there is only One I've found -

O Christ, yoked to the children of men

you have chosen to be bound.

Entreat me not to leave You

nor this tree in folly pass by -

here on this ground You have placed me

here daily in You will I die.

As the tree then bears its cuts and wounds,

let Your brand marks on me be,

a testimony to the world

of Your great love for me.

The voices carried on the wind

may whisper - "all in vain" -

but what seems waste and loss

is in You, O Christ, my gain.

Lonely might the tree appear

with few bound at its side

but You have drawn in suffering Love

other seekers to be tied.

by

Sarah Maitland