Go Plant a Tree
Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919
God, what a joy it is to plant a tree,
And from the sallow earth to watch it rise,
Lifting its emerald branches to the skies
In silent adoration; and to see
Its strength and glory waxing with each spring.
Yes, 'tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing
To plant a tree.
Nature has many marvels; but a tree
Seems more than marvellous. It is divine.
So generous, so tender, so benign.
Not garrulous like the rivers; and yet free
In pleasant converse with the winds and birds;
Oh! privilege beyond explaining words,
To plant a tree.
Rocks are majestic; but, unlike a tree,
They stand aloof, and silent. In the roar
Of ocean billows breaking on the shore
There sounds the voice of turmoil. But a tree
Speaks ever of companionship and rest.
Yea, of all righteous acts, this, this is best,
To plant a tree.
There is an oak (oh! how I love that tree)
Which has been thriving for a hundred years;
Each day I send my blessing through the spheres
To one who gave this triple boon to me,
Of growing beauty, singing birds, and shade.
Wouldst thou win laurels that shall never fade?
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:00 min read
- 142 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | abbaccA addaeeA affaggA ahhaii |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
Characters | 1,070 |
Words | 200 |
Stanzas | 4 |
Stanza Lengths | 7, 7, 7, 6 |
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"Go Plant a Tree" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/10618/go-plant-a-tree>.
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