How did you come up with that name for your blog?

Because someone asked (and because I am terribly obliging…) below is the poem from which my blog takes its name. It was written by Caryll Houselander, a modern-day mystic of sorts, and published in 1945. While it was written about war-torn London, I feel the ideas contained in the poem are in no way limited to that time and place. I hope you enjoy it.

A TREE IN THE CITY

At last on the little black tree
In the city square,
There is a green leaf.

Hesitating,
A ray of the sun, comes down.
It is a white finger of light,
Pointing to life.

In the offices,
The row of pales faces are lifted,
They are turned to the green spark,
Unlit candles, wistful for flame.

They are not dreaming,
Merely of the distant countryside,
Of passing loveliness.
They know, that loveliness
Runs out, even through privileged hearts,
Like sand through an hour glass.
They want to begin to live,
And to live for ever.

The spark of life
In each of their souls
Is a gem in a locked casket.
It suddenly burns more brightly.
Waxes and wanes,
Like a breathing ember.
Now it could be fanned to a great flame,
by a mere breath.
Will no one come,
Into the city of London,
With the gift of his breath,
To answer,
The people’s wordless supplication
For Life?

(PS--the picture is of a funny type of tree that grows in the chaco. It stores water in the trunk and has spikes all around the bark, so one must hug with caution!)