Listen to the Trees

Listen,
that is not the voice of the breeze
rustling through the leaves of living trees,
but the voice of the trees themselves
speaking to humanity.

Be silent and listen
to the sorrows and the joys,
to the history and the myths,
of the lungs of Earth.

Listen
and you will hear the trees speaking
to you
in your native language.

Listen
and you will hear them say:
"Our roots
hold the planet's soil in place
and reduce erosion;
we inhale carbon dioxide
we exhale oxygen;
we provide the human race with food,
shelter,
and warmth;
our only request
is that you planet a tree or two
for each one you cut down."