34 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



POMOLOGICAL THOUGHTS AND FANCIES. 



By Miss Delia M. Taylor. 



To this society of wide repute, 



A friend requests me to present some fruit. 



I see the well-filled table where three States 



Offer a fine collection of choice plates. 



These fruits are standard and their merits known, 



I've no rare specimens witli labor grown : 



There's only one encouragement I claim — 



To send varieties without a name. 



The Sibyl, nature, on fresh leaflets writes 

 Her precious lore, and our research invites, 

 No human voice the outward ear may reach, 

 Yet all around be eloquent in speech. 

 Each tree, perchance, by leafy pantomime, 

 May truth portray or breathe a murmured rhyme. 

 One day I listened, by these fancies led, 

 And carefully observed what each one said. 



I noticed, first, a Willow drooping low. 

 In helpless anguish swaying to and fro ; 

 And, as a light gale brought the whispered word, 

 This mournful message I distinctly heard : — 

 '•'■ Life is for all. a round of loss and pain, 

 What men call joy they never can obtain. 

 Strive on, but failure only will remain." 



'• 'Tis true that grief and fruitless toil oppress 

 The strongest soul." I cried in bitterness. 

 But soon, impulsively. I turned away, 

 ''Has Nature, then, no cheering word to say?" 

 A ready answer came upon the breeze. 

 Borne from a group of merry Poplar trees : — 

 "Life is life, only as pleasure we have, 

 Fearlessly sorrow and failure we'll brave. 

 Gayly our silvery banners we'll wave." 



'•Alas," I said, "that I must hear again 

 The wild despair and idle mirth of men 1 

 These sounds combine in bitter mockery 

 Instead of soul-inspiring harmony." 

 A Lombard Poplar rustled at my side, 

 And sternly pointing upward, thus replied: — 



"Life is in renunciation, 



Pain and joy alike disdain, 



Outstretched hands must meet temptation, 



Earthly things are never gain." 



