Celebrating Tu B'Shevat with the Jewish Pavilion

Tu B'Shevat is celebrated annually at senior communities in Orange and Seminole counties. The seniors enjoy participating in the Tu B'Shevat Seder service. Unlike other holidays, few have memories to share regarding this Jewish Earth Day other than the collections they did for Jewish National Fund. For many, their favorite part of the Jewish Pavilion service is reciting the poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. Many elders had to memorize this poem for school and even those who appear to be sleeping during the service will perk up and begin their recitation.

Trees

By Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest / 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.

Joyce Kilmer was an American writer and poet mainly remembered for a short poem titled "Trees," which was published in the collection "Trees and Other Poems" in 1914.