Oldest of friends, the trees! Ere fire came, or iron, Or the shimmering corn; When the earth mist was dank, Ere the promise of dawn, From the slime, from the muck— The trees! Nearest of friends, the trees! They shield us from storm And brighten our hearths; They bring to our tables The autumn's fine gold; They carol our joys And sing to our griefs. They cradle our young And coffin our dead— The trees! Truest of friends, the trees! Men wander far At a word or a nod; Life is a grief, Love is a chance, Faith stumbles oft, Joy is soon past. Oldest of friends, Nearest of friends, Truest of friends, The trees! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...METRICAL FEET by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE ODE ON A GRECIAN URN by JOHN KEATS THE SABBATH MORNING by JOHN LEYDEN A BALLAD OF THE FRENCH FLEET; OCTOBER, 1746 by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A DESCRIPTION OF A CITY SHOWER by JONATHAN SWIFT |