Gratitude

(To A. T.)

The oleander blooms for me, In dawning splendrous beauty, I planted it so tenderly, And love has done its duty.

All in a garden of the earth, All in a plot of ground, Wherein I found no bit of worth, The seed I planted in the ground.

O Tiny seed almost unworthy To be cherished for thy looks, But deep within the heart of you Was wisdom never found in books.

You are the spirit of the good, The joy, the beauty of all things, You are the melody of life--the song That Mother Nature sings.

And so to that sweet lullaby You, in your perfumed cradle, rest Safe in the arms of Mother Earth, Held closely to her loving breast.

Until one happy wondrous day When love so tenderly drew nigh, Lifted your tiny hand of green And turned your face toward the sky.

The oleander blooms for me, In dawning splendrous beauty, I planted it so tenderly And love has done its duty.