The 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 that still holds good:
"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for 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 blossoms 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.