Part 24 (2/2)

IDEALISTS

Brother Tree: Why do you reach and reach?

Do you dream some day to touch the sky?

Brother Stream: Why do you run and run?

Do you dream some day to fill the sea?

Brother Bird: Why do you sing and sing?

Do you dream-- _Young Man: Why do you talk and talk and talk?_

ALFRED KREYMBORG

”DRAW CLOSER, O YE TREES”

O quiet cottage room, Whose cas.e.m.e.nts, looking o'er the garden-close, Are hid in wildings and the woodbine bloom And many a clambering rose,

Sweet is thy light subdued, Gracious and soft, lingering upon my book, As that which s.h.i.+mmers through the branched wood Above some dreamful nook!

Leaning within my chair, Through the curtain I can see the stir-- The gentle undulations of the air-- Sway the dark-layered fir;

And, in the beechen green, Mark many a squirrel romp and chirrup loud; While far beyond, the chestnut-boughs between, Floats the white summer cloud.

Through the loopholes in the leaves, Upon the yellow slopes of far-off farms, I see the rhythmic cradlers and the sheaves Gleam in the binders' arms.

At times I note, nearby, The flicker tapping on some hollow bole; And watch the sun, against the sky, The fluting oriole;

Or, when the day is done, And the warm splendors make the oak-top flush, Hear him, full-throated in the setting sun,-- The darling wildwood thrush.

O sanctuary shade Enfold one round! I would no longer roam: Let not the thought of wandering e'er invade This still, reclusive home!

Draw closer, O ye trees!

Veil from my sight e'en the loved mountain's blue; The world may be more fair beyond all these, Yet I would know but you!

LLOYD MIFFLIN

TREES

In the Garden of Eden, planted by G.o.d, There were goodly trees in the springing sod,--

Trees of beauty and height and grace, To stand in splendor before His face.

Apple and hickory, ash and pear, Oak and beech and the tulip rare,

The trembling aspen, the n.o.ble pine, The sweeping elm by the river line;

Trees for the birds to build and sing, And the lilac tree for a joy in spring;

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