Selection from "Under the Trees"

The wonderful, strong, angelic trees, With their blowing locks and their bared great knees And nourishing bosoms, shout all together, And rush and rock through the glad wild weather.

They are so old they teach me, With their strong hands they reach me, Into their breast my soul they take, And keep me there for wisdom's sake.

They teach me little prayers; To-day I am their child; The sweet breath of their innocent airs Blows through me strange and wild.

I never feel afraid Among the trees; Of trees are houses made; And even with these, Unhewn, untouched, unseen, Is something homelike in the safe sweet green, Intimate in the shade.

We are all brothers! Come, let's rest awhile In the great kinship. Underneath the trees Let's be at home once more, with birds and bees And gnats and soil and stone. With these I must Acknowledge family ties. Our mother, the dust, With wistful and investigating eyes Searches my soul for the old sturdiness, Valor, simplicity! Stout virtues these, We learned at her dear knees. Friend, you and I Once played together in the good old days. Do you remember? Why, brother, down what wild ways We traveled, when— That's right! Draw close to me! Come now, let's tell the tale beneath the old roof-tree.