Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE ORCHARD, by JAMES STEPHENS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE ORCHARD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There was a giant by the orchard wall
Last Line: Round by the lilac bushes back to you!
Subject(s): Orchards; Supernatural


There was a giant by the Orchard Wall
Peeping about on this side and on that,
And feeling in the trees. He was as tall
As the big apple tree, and twice as fat:
His beard poked out, all bristly-black and there
Were leaves and gorse and heather in his hair.

He held a blackthorn club in his right hand,
And plunged the other into every tree,
Searching for something -- You could stand
Beside him and not reach up to his knee
So big he was -- I trembled lest he should
Come trampling, round-eyed, down to where I stood.

I tried to get away. -- But, as I slid
Under a bush, he saw me, and he bent
Down deep at me, and said, "Where is she hid?"
I pointed over there, and off he went --

But, while he searched, I turned and simply flew
Round by the lilac bushes back to you!





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