According to legend,
The dogwood tree used to grow
so tall and straight that
it's wood was used to make
the cross of Christ.
Out of sorrow for
the Lord's suffering.
The dogwood shrank,
Becoming slender and twisted,
It's branches drooped with sadness.
The dogwood would never again
be used to make a cross.
Instead, it's blossoms would
repeat the story of Jesus' death
The four white petals of each blossom
form a cross, and at the outer edge
of each petal are rusty brown nail
prints stained red as with blood.
In the center, tiny florets
form a crown of thorns.
The bent but lovely dogwood
blooms each year at Easter time
To remind the world of the
story of the crucifixion,
and that out of suffering
comes the promise of new life.
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