Paul Petrie - The Double Tree

Pain grows in Paradise--

its root is there.

It is the bliss of Paradise

that lays pain bare.

So deep in infernal glades

shines the golden tree

on which the burnished fruit of joy

hangs mockingly.

It is the Tree of Life.

It is the Cross,

on which all living creatures hang

in joy, in loss.

Stretched out on greenly glowing arms

we live, we die,

praising this heaven and earthly tree

on which we lie.