Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1920 — "But Only God Can Make a Tree" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"But Only God Can Make a Tree"

TREES I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pre st Against the earth's sweet flowing breast. A tree that looks at God all day And lifts her leafy A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lainf Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. KILMER.

THE FOREST POETIC These poems are from * booklet, "The Forest Poetic,” distributed with the compliments of Charles Lathrop Pack, president of the America* Forestry association. PROSPECTIN’ Up the mountain and through the burn Wo climbed. An’ ’mongst the brush an’ fern. An ole man drove his maddock home, An’ slapped a tree in the gapin’ loam. “Mornin’, Father. What’s the game?” “Plantin' trees,” the answer came. “You don’t ’spect to live to see The standin’ timber, do ye, say?* He looked reflectin’, down the hill: “Wall- no. But, thunder, some ’un will.” —J. R. SIMMONS. * * * THE SERVICE OF THE TREES *Home«r’ said the forest, shagging the range, ••Lintel and floor, roof-beam and door, Homes we build and deserts we change To cities that smoke and roar. Steel and stone may come to their own. But first we shaped and prepared for these. We raise the world, who are overthrown We rise and toil!” said the trees. “Ships!” said the forest, tossing its plumes. “The weltering tide we master and ride; Oceans and smoke with hurricane dooms, All ports of the world beside. Iron and steel may set their seal On hull and keel, with clanging boasts. We won a world to unveil and reveal All continents and coasts I” “Beauty!” the forest in silver light Wreathed dim and strange through the sunset change; Star-crowned, striding along the height Lord of the lofty range. “No stone takes lines of such vast designs— No steel such immortal mysteries I From the birch by the take to the mountain pines, 1 We dwell with God!” said the trees. —W. R. BENET. * TREES What is the wisdom taught of the trees? Something of energy, something of ease; Steadfastness rooted in passionless peace. Life-giving verdure to upland and glen; Graces— compelling the praises of men; Freedom that bends to the eagle and wren. T expanding in ripeness and sixe; Shadow that shelters the foolish and wise; Patience that bows ’neath all winds of the skies. Uprightness— standing for truth like a tower; Dignity—symbol of honor pad power; Beauty that blooms in the ultimate flower! STEPHEN HENRY THAYER. WHO PLANTS A TREE <?»va fools their gold, and knaves their power; zLet fortune’s bubbles rise and fall; Who sows a field, or trams a flower. Or plants a tree, is more than all. —JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. * * * ■ MAJESTIC WOODS Majestic woods of ev’ry vigorous you, Stage above stage, high waving o’er the hills. Or to the far horizon wide diffused. A beansßess, deep imensity of shade.

PLANT A TREE If when I am gone Thou would’st honor me, Then plant a tree. Some highway, bleak and bare, Make green with leaves. So radiant and fair And full of leaves, my monument will bo So ever full of tuneful melody. My monument will be A sight mbst rare — Trees planted everywhere, A highway bread from city to the sea, Plant this in memory of me. —DAVID H. WRIGHT. THE LEAVES DO NOT MIND AT ALL The lrave*_do not—mind at all That they must fall. When summertime is gone, It is pleasant to put on A traveling coat of brown and gray And fly away, Past the barn and past the school, Past the noisy little pool It used to hear but could not see. Oh, it is joy to be A leaf—and free! To be swiftly on the wing Like a bird adventuring. And then, tired out, to creep Under some friendly rail and go to sleep; The leaves do not mind at all That they must fall. —ANNETTE WYNNE. * * * SHADE The kindliest thing God ever made, His hand of very healing laid Upon a fevered world, is shade. His glorious company of trees « Throw out their mantles, and on these The dust-stained wanderer finds ease. Green temples, closed against the beat Of noon time’s blinding glare and heat, Open to any pilgrim’s feet. The white road blisters in the sun; Now half the weary journey done, Enter and rest, O weary one! And feel the dew of dawn still wet Beneath thy feet, and so forget The burning highway’s ache and fret. This is God’s hospitality, And whoso- rests beneath a tree Hath cause to thank him gratefully. —THEODOSIA GARRISON. * * * THE TREE PLANTER _ He who plants a tree. He ptants love; Tents of coolness spreading out above. Heaven and earth help him who plants a . Aad his work its owa reward shall be.,

THE GIANT SEQUOIA When Babylon was riotous thy head Was wise with years; when Bonaparte on cold Helena’s rock lay still thy heart was bold As youth against the storm; no hair has fled Of all thy leafy locks through age; the dead Since thou wert young have swept in ranks untold “ To immortality; straight as of old Thou wait’st the generations still unbred. Why build we monuments of crumbling stone Or tawdry brass and bronze to mark a name And spare mere memory to unheeding time? I, were far sweeter, though to be To rest beneath green trees. Could marbled fame Sleep softer bring though graved with sacred rhyme? —M; J. RIORDAN. * * THE HEART OF A TREE What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants the friend of sun and sky; Ji He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high; He plants a home to heaven anigh For song a mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard, The treble of heaven’s harmony— These things he plants who plants a tree. .y a _ - • a f - What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants cool shade 'and tendor raih, And seed and bud of days to be, And years that fade and flush again; He plants the glory of the plain; He plants the forest’s heritage; The harvest of a coming age; The joy that unborn eyes shall see - These things he plants who plants a tree. What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants, in sap and leaf and wood, In love of home and loyalty And far-cast thought of civic good— His blessing on the neighborhood Who in the hollow of his hand Holds all the growth of all our land. A nation’s growth from sea to sea. Stirs in his heart who plants a tree. * * THE RANGER’S LIFE Nights that are spent in the open. Under the whispering trees; x Slumber that’s sweet and dreamless ■■ Lullabys sung by the breeze. Waked by the first red sunbeam Unto no day of strife — Waked to a day of pleasure— Such is the ranger’s life. Over paths flecked with sunshine, Threading the tree-lined ways; Fording a snow-born streamlet There where the big trout plays; Surprising the elk at the dawning, The bear at his clumsy playFeeling the heart-beat of Nature - Such is the ranger’s day. Think you the city can call him? What charm has the marketplace? Why should he turn from the mountains, Inviting, from peak to base? Town’s but to dream of at even, When camp fire smoke curls high. So lives the forest ranger Under the western sky.