Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TAPESTRY TREES, by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896)


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TAPESTRY TREES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oak: I am the rooftree and the keel
Last Line: Of living song and dead renown!
Subject(s): Trees


OAK
I am the Roof-tree and the Keel:
I bridge the seas for woe or weal.

FIR
High o'er the lordly oak I stand,
And drive him on from land to land.

ASH
I heft my brother's iron bane;
I shaft the spear and build the wain.

YEW
Dark down the windy dale I grow,
The father of the fateful Bow.

POPLAR
The war shaft and the milking bowl
I make, and keep the hay-wain whole

OLIVE
The King I bless; the lamps I trim;
In my warm wave do fishes swim.

APPLE TREE
I bowed my head to Adam's will;
The cups of toiling men I fill.

VINE
I draw the blood from out the earth;
I store the sun for winter mirth.

ORANGE TREE
Amidst the greenness of my night
My odorous lamps hang round and bright.

FIG TREE
I who am little among trees
In honey-making mate the bees.

MULBERRY TREE
Love's lack hath dyed my berries red:
For love's attire my leaves are shed.

PEAR TREE
High o'er the mead flower's hidden feet
I bear aloft my burden sweet.

BAY
Look on my leafy boughs, the crown
Of living song and dead renown!





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