Let me stand upright, clean, like a tall birch after the rain has drenched its bark and boughs between. Let me stand without quiver of pain through the battering years, like an old oak when pelting storm assails. Let me stand alone, like a rock-rooted pine that rears its spine to blasting gales, minding the life that is its own. Let me stand like a willow with bending grace -- when it shields a flowerless grave -- and cover the tears of a world's sad face. Let me stand radiant, brave, like a maple that bursts into flame with the rapture of Life, when Death calls its name. Let me stand inviting melodious lays, like an elm that nests many a song in its body of beauty where carols belong. Let me stand under worshipful trees -- my thoughts spread in their boughs -- when I pray: "Lord, help me to be as lovely as they!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TRAVAIL OF PASSION by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS CHRISTMAS by CHARLOTTE LOUISE BERTLESEN TO HELEN KELLER by CRAVEN LANGSTROTH BETTS CONQUERING EAGLES by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: SONG. ROSES by THOMAS CAMPION SWEET AND SOUR; A PRISON SERMON by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS ON AN ILL-NATURED PARASITE by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON SAND & SPRAY: SEA-SYMPHONY. 2. VARIATIONS: 4. THE GULLS by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER |