Of planting seeds and planter's pots
We speak of dreamers' goals and strife
Of winning less and growing lots
The true ingredients of life

He takes the challenge: grow a tree
The tallest one in all the town
"Can you grow yours as high as me?"
He's riveted to win the crown

Se work he does with all his heart
To grow the tree he sees in mind
With strength and might he does his part
And prays the seed will sprout in time

Water, sunlight, blood and sweat 
The leaves are now above the ground
"This kind of work I won't forget"
Something inside himself he's found

So prune and dung and dig about
He learns to use to the tools of trade
To trim and prep before time's out
The prize in his mind's eye is made

And soon the day of truth arrives
And everyone brings out their trees
The dedication of their lives
"Did you grow yours as high as me?"

The tape is drawn, results come out
The trees are measured by the Judge
Yet nothing's much to talk about
For knee-high rises but a shrub

"Why have I failed?" he says and frowns
"I gave it all, I really tried"
But 'ere his spirits tumble down
The Judge appears to sooth his cries

To fail? To fail? Is this the end?
Says Judge of men and trees and life
It's simply fuel to live again
What would you have, had not you tried?

The tree itself was not the goal
And neither was the height thereof
So what was got from growing so?
The will and might and growth of soul

And though the tree has seldom grown
Success is measured by the man
No ribbon-prize he stands alone
Much taller now than when began

Man thinks he knows what is correct
To fail is the mistaken step
One first must die to resurrect
The seeds of Godhood lie in death

Of planting seeds and planters pots
We speak of dreamers' goals and strife
Of winning less and growing lots
The true ingredients of life