Trees And Other Poems

"Mine is no horse with wings, to gain The region of the Spheral chime; He does but drag a rumbling wain, Cheered by the coupled bells of rhyme."

Coventry Patmore

To My Mother

Gentlest of critics, does your memory hold (I know it does) a record of the days When I, a schoolboy, earned your generous praise For halting verse and stories crudely told? Over these childish scrawls the years have rolled, They might not know the world's unfriendly gaze; But still your smile shines down familiar ways, Touches my words and turns their dross to gold.

More dear to-day than in that vanished time Comes your nigh praise to make me proud and strong. In my poor notes you hear Love's splendid chime, So unto you does this, my work belong. Take, then, a little gift of fragile rhyme: Your heart will change it to authentic song.

Contents

The Twelve-Forty-Five Pennies Trees Stars Old Poets Delicatessen Servant Girl and Grocer's Boy Wealth Martin The Apartment House As Winds That Blow Against A Star St. Laurence To A Young Poet Who Killed Himself Memorial Day The Rosary Vision To Certain Poets Love's Lantern St. Alexis Folly Madness Poets Citizen of the World To a Blackbird and His Mate Who Died in the Spring The Fourth Shepherd Easter Mount Houvenkopf The House with Nobody in It Dave Lilly Alarm Clocks Waverley