Ancient cypress

An ancient cypress stands before the temple fifteen feet across and two thousand feet tall. It breathes the wind and the clouds. It cradles the moon in its branches. It and its fellow cypresses have conquered cities and mountains. The cypress has no blossoms or fruit; it impresses us without ostentation. Emperors and ministers have passed away while the cypress continues to be loved. Emperors say the gods support them. It’s more clear the gods support the cypress.