Bright squares of grasses, differently green With different nurture, this for sturdy strength, And this for softest texture, silvery sheen, This for resisting drought, and this for length. Stretches of corn, from various chosen seed, With varying soils, by varying liquids fed; Confines of noisy fowl diverse in breed, Orchards of apples, yellow, green, and red. Queries of nature, patiently minute, Long questionings of earth and air and rain, Long watchings of the blade, the flower, the fruit, Slow witness of the hill, the slope, the plain. What earnestness of labor lavished here, That peas may have a little fuller pod, Or corn bear one more kernel to the ear, Or grasses form a little firmer sod! And as I walk along these fruited aisles, These thoughtful paths and wisely purposed ways, I think of my life wanderings, miles on miles Of aimless loitering through barren days. O God of harvests! lead me to a place, However small, that I may bravely till, And make it wear a little fairer face, And one least corner with new verdure fill! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HABIT OF PERFECTION by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS ON SOMETHING THAT WALKS SOMEWHERE by BEN JONSON THE SURPRISE AT TICONDEROGA [MAY 10, 1775] by MARY ANNA PHINNEY STANSBURY NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 3. IN PORT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON POEM FOR PICTURE: TO AN OIL PAINTING BY WINSLOW HOMER (DRIFTWOOD) by FRANK ANKENBRAND JR. |