One Bent Twig

Adrienne Rich's poem "What Kind of Times Are These" says in these times "it's necessary to talk about trees." These times are hard for many living creatures, including trees. One Bent Twig collects love poems for trees including first-loved tree, sequoias, ancient trees, towering sugar maples, Douglas firs, and red oaks. Tricia Knoll has hugged some of the best, planted dozens in her lifetime, and feels intuitively what scientists have discovered about tree sentiency and communication. As an Oregonian for over 40 years, she witnessed the decline of old-growth forest and breathed the smoke of wildfires. Now, in Vermont, ash borers threaten the trees that the first people knew as the heart of their creation story. As an eco-poet, Tricia Knoll sings tree-praises for thrivers and survivors, knowing full well how climate change endangers so many.