Arbor Day in the USA

Today, April 28, is Arbor Day here in the USA. It is the day when we again focus on our environment and nature and everyone is encouraged to plant a tree in order to replenish our natural resources. In many primary schools, a special ceremony is held and a sapling (an immature or “baby” tree) is planted and the students are told to “watch” it grow  and are educated on tree-care. The U.S. Forest Service and/or individual state forestry agencies sometimes provide trees for the students to take home and plant in their yards.

In some localities, Arbor Day celebrations are combined with Earth Day activities as the two dates for these events are barely a week apart. In certain instances, a community festival is held incorporating the major elements of the two observances along with entertainment, food and related exhibits for a family-oriented event that appeals to all ages.

My identical twin brother, Alex, and I both remember Arbor Day festivities from our elementary school years when we, as a class, had to commit the words from a poem or a song to memory in order to perform for parents, faculty and other students. In particular, we both recall the poem below from one of our performances.

Trees

by Sergeant Joyce Kilmer (born December 6, 1886, killed during World War I: July 30, 1918)

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree. 

*****

Bare practitioners (naturists/nudists) have a vested interest in the preservation of the forests and park-lands that are a treasure of our natural legacy. Once they disappear from our environment, where else will we go for our nature walks and hikes? They also provide a habitat for other species of life that support our own.

We all should do our own small part in replenishing this valuable resource whenever possible. Nurture a tree and we promote the quality of life for us all.

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride