Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A BIRCH TREE by KENNETH SLADE ALLING

First Line: LAY HOLD UPON THE EARTH AND THRUST
Last Line: AIR ROUND YOU: -- DOUBLE, YOUR DELIGHT.
Subject(s): BIRCH TREES; TREES;
Lay hold upon the earth and thrust
Your roots into the darkened dust.
As thin rains keep your green leaves green
So worms will wind your tendrils clean
And fibers firmly housed in clay,
More fabulous than the house of day.
Your airy limbs lift to the sun:
Your roots in pungent darkness run.
Beneath, rich darkness and the bright
Air round you: -- double, your delight.



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