I envy the tree that is always a cedar

Jasmine Soukieh is a Canberra-born and raised Lebanese-Australian. She is one of the Founding Co-editors of be:longing.

I ENVY THE TREE THAT IS ALWAYS A CEDAR

I envy the tree
That is always a cedar
Whatever the border surrounding
So long as the soil
And so long as the light
And so long as the water
Abound

I envy the tree
That is always a cedar
That doesn’t grow petals near daisies
Nor bend to the wind
Nor shake off its needles
For shame that it grows like a
Cedar.

© Jasmine Soukieh, 2023