At the corners of my house I will have four trees; They will lay their arms about, Evil creatures keeping out; I shall have no dread nor doubt In the care of these. I will choose a maple tree For its magic ways: Tufted coral in the spring, Then a green pavilioning, And a mystic golden thing In the autumn days; And a tall horse-chestnut tree From my childhood's town, With its cones of creamy bloom. Candles lit in leafy gloom, Which for glossy fruit make room Quaintly marked and brown; And of course an apple-tree Just for happiness; For its clouds of pink and white, And its breath of pure delight, And its rosy cheeks to bite With a sharp caress; And a poplar tree that knows All the ancient pain; Bringing comfort with a sigh And a song to slumber by, As it whispers soft and shy In a voice of rain. At the corners of my house I will have four trees: They will guard me night and day, Keeping evil things away; To the saints I need not pray -- I am safe with these. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT THE WEDDING MARCH by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS A SOCIETY MARTYR by JOHN CLINTON ANTHONY OPEN MY EYES by ALICE E. BAILEY BLACKMWORE MAIDENS by WILLIAM BARNES COMPLAINS OF THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE; AN IDYLLIUM by BION EMILE ZOLA by MARJORIE W. BRACHLOW |