Redwoods

Here, sown by the Creator's hand
In seared ranks, the Redwoods stands
No other chime is honored so,
No other lands their glory knows

The greatest of Earth's living forms.
Tall conquerors that laugh at storms,
Their challenge still unanswered rings,
Through fifty centuries of kings.

This is their temple, vaulted high,
And here we pause with reverent eye.
With silent tongue and awe-struck soul;
For here we sense life's proper goal.

To be like these, straight, true and fine,
To make our world, like theirs, a shrine;
Sink down, Oh, traveler, on your knees,
God stands before you in these trees.