I planted a young tree when I was young; But now the tree is grown and I am old: There wintry robin shelters from the cold And tunes his silver tongue. A green and living tree I planted it, A glossy-foliaged tree of evergreen: All thro' the noontide heat it spread a screen Whereunder I might sit. But now I only watch it where it towers: I, sitting at my window, watch it tossed By rattling gale, or silvered by the frost; Or, when sweet summer flowers, Wagging its round green head with stately grace In tender winds that kiss it and go by: It shows a green full age; and what show I? A faded wrinkled face. So often have I watched it, till mine eyes Have filled with tears and I have ceased to see; That now it seems a very friend to me In all my secrets wise. A faithful pleasant friend, who year by year Grew with my growth and strengthened with my strength, But whose green lifetime shows a longer length: When I shall not sit here It still will bud in spring, and shed rare leaves In autumn, and in summer heat give shade, And warmth in winter; when my bed is made In shade the cypress weaves. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LONDON VOLUNTARIES: 3. SCHERZANDO by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY IN A BYE-CANAL by HERMAN MELVILLE PAN IN WALL STREET by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN PRELUDE by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE TO HESTER ON THE STAIR by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT DIVIDED by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |