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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GOURD AND THE PALM by ANONYMOUS

First Line: HOW OLD ART THOU?' SAID THE GARRULOUS GOURD
Last Line: YET HERE I STAND -- BUT WHERE ARE THEY?
Subject(s): ARBOR DAY;TREES;

"How old art thou?" said the garrulous gourd,
As o'er the palm-tree's crest it poured
Its spreading leaves and tendrils fine,
And hung a bloom in the morning shine.
"A hundred years!" the palm-tree sighed:
"And @3I@1," the saucy gourd replied,
"Am at the most a hundred hours,
And overtop thee in the bowers!"

Through all the palm-tree's leaves there went
A tremor as of self-content.
"I live my life," it whispering said,
"See what I see, and count the dead;
And every year, of all I've known,
A gourd above my head has grown,
And made a boast, like thine to-day;
Yet here @3I@1 stand — but where are @3they@1?"



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