Oldest of friends, the trees! Ere fire came, or iron, Or the shimmering corn; When the earth mist was dank, Ere the promise of dawn, From the slime, from the muck— The trees! Nearest of friends, the trees! They shield us from storm And brighten our hearths; They bring to our tables The autumn's fine gold; They carol our joys And sing to our griefs. They cradle our young And coffin our dead— The trees! Truest of friends, the trees! Men wander far At a word or a nod; Life is a grief, Love is a chance, Faith stumbles oft, Joy is soon past. Oldest of friends, Nearest of friends, Truest of friends, The trees! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FINIS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO A SOLITARY DISCIPLE by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE CREATION (A NEGRO SERMON) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO - (4) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH CHERRY TREE IN AUTUMN by MARIE DAVIES WARREN BECKNER |