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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CRIMSON TREE by ELSIE J. COSLER CAMPBELL

First Line: BESIDE A TOMB I SAW A CRIMSON TREE
Last Line: THE LIVING, CRIMSON TREE -- THE CHRIST OF GOD!
Subject(s): IMMORTALITY; TREES;

Beside a tomb I saw a crimson tree --
(A graceful, noble model of tree art) --
Within a cemetery, old, apart.
There lesser trees like lesser gods that be
Stood round in poses most deject, leaf-free.
Like drops of crimson from a bleeding heart
This tree its leaves to grave-mounds did compart,
And shared with them its immortality.

Beside the grave-mounds of dead lives there stands.
With loving arms and rooted in the sod,
The One, who everlastingly demands
Annulment of final death -- knows the clod,
And yet knows heav'n -- whose pow'r all life commands --
The living, crimson tree -- the Christ of God!



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