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In Jesus time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.

'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so.

Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion
the dogwood had been the size of the oak and
other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree
that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be
used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly
distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it,
sensed this, and in his suffering said to it:


Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree
grow large enough to be used a a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and
twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross...two long and two short petals.
And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust
and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who
see it will remember.