Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE STAFF AND THE TREE, by SAMUEL VALENTINE COLE First Line: This grew a sapling on the mountain side Last Line: Will come and sit beside you in its shade! Subject(s): Friendship | ||||||||
THIS grew a sapling on the mountain side, With aspirations to become a tree; I cut it down, and in that moment's pride I slew the glorious thing it was to be. It might have risen to an imperial height And gladdened with its beauty all the hill With bowers of green and spaces sweet with light, Where birds might build, and dwell, and sing at will. 'T is now a staff. Yet, when the years grow brief, And you would share with it your weight of cares, When life is putting on the yellow leaf, A miracle will happen unawares: For you will hear the birds that never sang Within its unborn branches; you will see The leaves that never rustled lightly hang Their banners forthyour staff will tower a tree! And it will be the sun and wind and dew Of other days by which that tree is made; Then, it may chance, a friendly ghost or two Will come and sit beside you in its shade! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU & I BELONG IN THIS KITCHEN by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JASON THE REAL by TONY HOAGLAND NO RESURRECTION by ROBINSON JEFFERS CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 18 by JAMES JOYCE THE STONE TABLE by GALWAY KINNELL ALMSWOMAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO AN ENEMY by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SONNET: 10. TO A FRIEND by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES A LADY'S PORTRAIT by SAMUEL VALENTINE COLE |
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