Paddling for days in an endless sea
It seemed at last I'd spotted some land
Only to behold a stand of mangrove trees
An isle devoid of earth and sand

Mangrove-- you've amazed me at how you thrive
And colonize the brackish sea
Constantly unphased by the passing waves
It seems impossible to me
I'm not so very wise, but I do believe my eyes, and it seems impossible to me

If I were a snail in a spiraled shell
Upon your bark I might parade
And if I were the brilliant bromeliad
I'd make a home beneath your shade

But I am just a human in need of land
To hold my weary bones and my head
So onwards I must sail to another isle
Where I might find some ground instead
Your buttressed roots are nice, but they simply won't suffice, so I'll have to find some ground instead

To me the mangroves smiled and they echoed back
"Just twine your bed between my trees
The least that I can do is provide for you
A restful night of peace and ease
The tides will not alarm you, the ocean waves can't harm you, so enjoy a night of peace and ease"

A seafarer I once was for many years
Exploring on the open seas
But ne'er another night did I feel more held
Than in the bosom of those trees
I'll never take for granted a dreamtime so enchanted within the bosom of those trees

To you I give the blessing of the mangrove trees
To find your niche wherever you may rove
May you be unphased by the passing waves
And thrive within the harshest cove