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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BARMAID AND THE ALEXANDRITE by KAREN SWENSON THE DISPUTE OF THE HEART AND BODY OF FRANCOIS VILLON by FRANCOIS VILLON HEREDITY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE RICH DAYS by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES DREAM-LOVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |