"Olive Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photos taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf  near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

Olive Tree

Some friendly souls

stretched out in a line before me.

I stepped to the side,

so that I could see every outline

of the olive trees.

The hint of metal on 

their leaves,

like the moon's silvery reflection

on the deep and dark lake waters,

differentiated

from the lush greens

I was used to.

The smooth covering of sky

peeking through the leaves

only added to my longing

to capture this individualism

in a jar

to try to save it for later.

I want to save the bird rehearsing on

the top branch,

the feeling of antiquity

and simple joy

as I step on the fallen olives.

I wanted to save it

for a dull day of inquiring beauty.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Note:  Olive Harvest at Sacred Heart Schools - Over 50 heritage olive trees estimated to be more than 100 years old line the campus along its western border on Elena Avenue.  Since 2009, the School community has come together in early November to harvest the olives from the trees.  The fruit is then pressed into a premium olive oil, bottled and sold as a fundraiser.  Dr. Stewart Slafter oversees the organic management practices of the grove so that the trees produce healthy fruit in time for the harvest.  The education of learning how to manage the trees, produce a high quality olive oil, discover what makes an olive oil extra virgin and what factors affect its taste are all part of the lessons learned for both the students and adults to appreciate the entire process from tree to table.