From our origin in the garden of Eden man has a close relationship with trees.
In contemplation of our group of writers The Brothers Miladinov Macedonian Poetry Society it occurred to me that we are very much like a tree, a tree of Literature
Like a tree we have four parts, roots, trunk, branches and leaves. Also as an expression of life we produce fruit ( our writings)
As to our genus we are of the Macedonian Oak species. I say this because archeology has revealed that the golden crowns found in King Phillip`s tomb at Pella were formed by goldsmiths in the shape of a wreath of Oak leaves. This leads us to believe that the heraldic tree of Macedonian royalty was the Oak.
We may also think of our society of writers collectively to be like the devout man mentioned in Psalms 1 who is likened "unto a tree" a tree firmly planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season.

The sustenance required for this tree of literature like all trees comes through its roots. It takes minerals and water from the soil in which it is planted, drawing it up the trunk to feed the branches which in turn bring forth leaves (our poems and writings) It is important to understand that the sustenance for this tree is derived from the Macedonian language and culture.

ROOTS; Let us consider; Macedonian literature is comprised of poems stories and songs that give life to this tree. They were brought to Canada by the many waves of the Diaspora which landed on these shores of Canada from Macedonia. They sowed these seeds in a new land while integrating in a new culture and learning a new language all the while keeping in mind who they were and where they came from.
This tree was planted here in Canada by immigrants from Macedonia and the soil in which it was planted is the everyday hustle and bustle of life encountered in a new land and language. Striving to retain their mother tongue and culture, they drew sustenance from their roots and began to write of their love, patriotism and homesickness for the homeland. They did this in poems , stories and song by forming groups of like minded people usually in the Church community which led to readings at banquets and publishing poems and stories, here and later in Macedonia itself.
The roots of this tree of literature grew deep and spread wide as these immigrants and now their children born here began to write keeping their language and culture alive in remembrance of their beloved homeland of Macedonia. The rich sustenance which supplied their roots in Canadian soil is their Macedonian language and culture which was expressed in their mother tongue and then by a few such as myself in the English language thereby enriching the reason for writing of things Macedonian. Preserving these writings, (about the "first comers and their making a place for us") is the work and purpose of Historical Societies, such as ours.

THE TRUNK; as the roots of a tree are not visible to the naked eye, so also the roots of this tree of literature. What is visible is the trunk, the branches and leaves of this tree.
The trunk is the largest part of the tree. The trunk of our tree of literature is collectively the whole society and membership of the Brothers Miladinov Macedonian Poetry Society. All members past and present.
In common accord from our roots (Macedonian language and culture) nourishment passes up the through the trunk to feed each individual branch(poet) with the rich vibrant life of our history and culture and Christian religion.

BRANCHES; the branches of this tree of literature are representative of each individual writer. As in a tree there are no two branches alike, some are strong and thick and others are slim and supple. None the less each branch(member) is of equal importance and is necessary to the wholeness of the tree, giving balance and form.
Each member shows their individual personality, in their writing while maintaining the collectivity of common purpose ,our love of Macedonia.
Some branches (individual poets) have been broken off this tree of literature by the passing of time and the storms of life. However their places where they formerly grew are noted by scars on this tree and their remembrance kept alive by the publishing of their leaves (poems)
Of a happier theme there are new branches (members) growing in to keep this tree of literature in a healthy state of life.

LEAVES; These represent our poems and prose which grow ( from within each individual member) from the branch as the output of his or her expression of thought now captured in print. Each poem a leaf.
Some branches have many leaves others few, but these leaves are of equal value and to be considered in light of quality and not quantity.
leaves are means of identifying the differing trees. Observing(reading the poem) will give evidence that it is of Macedonian thought and expression from a branch (member) of the Brothers Miladinov Macedonian society of poets.
As leaves differ in size and colour so these poems differ in subject, feeling and content. Most are written in Macedonian for Macedonians. Some are now being written in English to open Macedonian literature to those who prefer English regardless of culture.

FRUIT; The fruit of an Oak tree comes in the form of a nut, an acorn. It is capable of reproduction.
The fruit of this tree of literature(the Brothers Miladinov Poetry Society) is an yearly anthology of poems published as the natural harvest of thought and expression from the mind of this group of poets. They write of their love of things Macedonian as experienced here in Canada. It has the capacity of reproducing itself with literature of the same genus by awakening newer, younger poets as well as satisfying the memories of the sons and daughters of the First Comers.

Come take the time to sit in the shade under the branches and leaves of this tree of literature that is alive and growing at Saint Clement of Ohrid Cathedral in the City of Toronto Canada.
Enjoy the fruit of this tree. Bless yourself read these Macedonian poems of our culture.

In conclusion why do men and women of all nationalities write of their history, homelands, language, culture but most important of their people?
Consider the sombre truth written by the Apostle Peter 1:23......
People are like grass, their beauty (achievements) is like a flower in the field
The grass withers (and dies) and the flower fades(and falls off)
but the word of the Lord remains forever.
Writing , is to preserve the memory our Grandfathers and Fathers who instilled in us the "spirit of Ilenden" and the beloved Macedonian people, great and small who once were here but now are gone.
Nea sme Makedonci
Zivee Makedonjia Zivee Makedonci