Legend of the Dogwood Tree

Thanks to my friend Tracey for the beautiful photo she took of the dogwood flower.

Legend of the Dogwood Tree
As legend has it, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from a dogwood tree.
God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross.
Thus, the dogwood tree is a small tree.
The flower of the dogwood has four petals which makes the shape of a cross.
The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red,
clustered fruit in the center representing the blood of Christ
The dogwood blooms in April when Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Christ after the Crucifixion

Legend of the Dogwood Tree 

When Christ was on earth, the Dogwood grew
To a towering six 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 which 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.

unknown author