The week of December 15 to 21 was Tree Week in Lebanon, and Radio Lebanon presented for this annual occasion, so dear to our hearts as Lebanese, a series of varied programs aimed at bringing out the importance of the tree and at working to keep it green, pouring forth fruit and hope!
A large number of men and women of letters and poets took part in these programs, among them Mrs. Salwa Mahmasani Moumina, the author of this piece:
Tree Week closed with a splendid festival held in the Sanayeh Garden on Sunday, December 21, under the patronage of President Chamoun.
O tree, but for you time would never have smiled, nor life been sweet, nor the eye rejoiced. But for you imagination would never have soared, nor the soul found rest, nor the mind ranged among its thoughts.
When life frowns, and weariness weighs down living, and care burdens the daily bread, you are the shade of souls and the refuge of hearts from the blaze of vexation.
Companionship is among your branches, and magic in your lashes and your lids, and radiance in your smiles and your colors, and paradise in your shelter and between your arms, O tree.
Like a singing bird, the joyful heart flutters from place to place, calling out along your paths; and like a homeless bird, the sorrowful heart searches for its solace and its refuge in your dwellings and your meanings. From you comes the remedy, and in you is the cure, O tree.
I wept for you in winter, when you stood bare and grieving, trembling under the bitter cold of the snows and the icy blast of the winds. And I watered you from my heart's blood when you were athirst for hope under the heat of the suns and the scorching of the simoom — yet neither the heat of tears warmed you nor the water of hearts quenched you.
But you were patient and strong under the bitterness of the days and the shakings of the nights, and pains did not kill the force of life within you. There was warmth in your wood, and hardness in your roots, and life in your depths. You were stronger than man against the events of time.
Every year there come from you blossom and abundance, gladness and joy, renewal and a lesson for man down the ages.
Filth and mire do not defile you, nor does the soil drag you down to
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