Fresh blossoms bring to mind a rhyme often found on old Virginia post cards in my youth.
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
While there is no evidence to suggest Dogwoods once towered, the Legend of the Dogwood has to be one of the great stories of a land that had wonderous mountains, rolling farmland and Fairy Crosses! Here is one rendering of the legend that is oft repeated in many interpretations.
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 the 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 brown
And in the blossom's 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."
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