A LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD TREE

          WHEN CHRIST WAS ON EARTH, THE DOGWOOD GREW
               TO A TOWERING SIZE WITH A LOVELY HUE.
          ITS BRANCHES WERE STRONG AND INTERWOVEN
       AND FOR CHRIST'S CROSS ITS TIMBERS WERE CHOSEN.
          BEING DISTRESSED AT THE USE OF THIS WOOD,
       CHRIST MADE A PROMISE WHICH STILL HOLDS GOOD:
        "NOT EVER AGAIN SHALL THE DOGWOOD GROW
         TO BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR SUCH A TREE AND SO
         SLENDER AND TWISTED IT SHALL ALWAYS BE
         WITH CROSS-SHAPED BLOSSOMS FOR ALL TO SEE.
         THE PETALS SHALL HAVE BLOODSTAINS MARKED IN
               BROWN
          AND IN THE BLOSSOM'S CENTER A THORNY CROWN.
          ALL WHO SEE IT WILL THINK OF ME,
          NAILED TO A CROSS FROM A DOGWOOD TREE.
          PROTECTED AND CHERISHED THIS TREE SHALL BE
          A REFLECTION TO ALL OF MY AGONY."