The song "Ginko" by Joan Shelley is a poetic tribute to the strength and wisdom of a ginkgo tree. The narrator admires the tree's towering presence, its steadfastness, and its stoic beauty. However, there is also a sense of longing and even insignificance in the narrator's voice as they observe the tree. They feel small and insignificant compared to the powerful and enduring ginkgo. The repeated lyrics "You stand like a ginkgo tree, tall, strong, and wise" emphasize the narrator's admiration and reverence for the tree. The image of shivering beneath its boughs suggests both a sense of awe and a vulnerability in the narrator's position. They are in awe of the tree's beauty and resilience, yet feel exposed and insignificant in its presence. The lines "Oh when the light hits you, I melt" and "I'm nothing important" further emphasize the narrator's feelings of awe and smallness. They feel overwhelmed by the tree's power and beauty and perceive themselves as insignificant in comparison. Overall, "Ginko" is a poignant and meditative tribute to nature's beauty and power, and the ways in which it can inspire both awe and humility in us.
