PRAYER OF THE WOODS

I have seen this before and think it is lovely. It seemed to deserve its own post.

(The words above can be found at the bottom of my post for translation.)

This has been around for a long time, and you may have seen it before. When I read it, I was sent on a curiosity journey and thanks to Google it wasn’t a long one. 

The poem is often shared as ‘Anonymous Author’ but I learned it was written in 1914 by a Portuguese gentleman, Alberto da Veiga Simões (December 1888 to December 1954). He was a writer, journalist, historian, politician, diplomat, and ambassador.

The poem was first published as “Ao Viandante”, which translates to “To the Wayfarer" or "To the person who passes through this place." It was traditionally used in Portuguese forest preservation spaces for decades. The text was later translated to English by an unknown translator. It is now widely seen printed on wooden signs along hiking trails and parks throughout North America and Europe. Canadian folk musician Tony Dekker adapted the poem into a song for his 2013 solo album, which is also titled "Prayer of the Woods."

I have enjoyed finding out more about this beautiful poem. I hope you have too.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by. 

Saluting all the tree huggers out there.

Poem for our international friends to translate:

Prayer of the Woods - I am the heat of your hearth on the cold 

winter nights, the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun, 

and my fruits are refreshing droughts quenching your thirst as you 

journey on. I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table, 

the bed on which you lie, and the timber that builds your boat. I am the

handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your 

Cradle and the shell of your coffin. I am the bread of kindness and the 

flower of beauty. Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer. Harm me not.