If Trees Gould Talk 



Frank L. Brace in Tree Talk 



If trees could talk, the tales they'd tell 



Would surely be worth listening to. 

 The trees that form the shady dell, 



Where lovers their fond vows renew ; 

 The trees that guard the home, the street 



Where children play and elders rest; 

 What varied tales would they repeat 



Of hopes deferred or hearts oppressed 



Of happy lives divinely blest. 



If trees could talk, how oft we'd hear 

 Of gross mistreatment, lack of care, 



Borne patiently for many a year, 

 While thoughtless mortals unaware 



Of how trees suffer, why they fail, 

 Put forth no effort to repel 



The foes that constantly assail. 



Sad tales like this we know full well, 

 A myriad suffering trees would tell. 



If trees could talk, methinks their words 



Would sound a protest loud and stern 

 For loss of their good friends, the birds, 



And make a plea for their return. 

 Trees need the birds and so do we. 



In the incessant fight to stay 

 The foes that so persistently 



On flowers and fruit and foliage prey, 



Our allies, vigilant, are they. 



Trees cannot talk, and yet, to him 



Who truly loves these friends of man, 



Their every leaf and flower and limb 

 Is vocal. Since the world began 



The trees have been our steadfast friends, 

 And our well-being constantly 



Upon their life and growth depends. 

 How faithful then our care should be, 

 How fondly should we love the tree. 



