waiting for glory

a lone tree stands amid the fields

  fields and fields

    rows and rows

      and one tree calling my name.

calling and calling

  until at last I hear

    until I have to notice despite myself.

what does it want, this lonely tree

  that it disturbs my thoughts so persistently

    that it transcends nature's bounds to make me its confidant.

it speaks, softly now

  of sorrow and love

    days and days

      years, generations

of an ever growing old and of newness each spring

  of leaves and branches and birds

    of small hands and large ones, too.

all these things, the lone tree says

  they are just a shadow

    a fading glimpse.

and now I know why the sad tree speaks

  words and words

    grace upon grace.

for his soft voice is truly a groan,

  and his sad smile is one of expectation.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:18-25