PLANT A TREE 



He who plants a tree 

 Plants a hope. 

 Rootlets up through fibers blindly grope; 

 Leaves unfold into horizons free. 



So man's life must climb 



From the clods of time 



Unto heavens sublime. 

 Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree, 

 What the glory of thy boughs shall be.? 



He who plants a free 

 Plants a joy; 

 Plants a comfort that will never cloy. 

 Every day a fresh reality. 



Beautiful and strong, 



To whose shelter throng 



Creatures blithe with song. 

 If thou couldst but know, thou happy tree, 

 Of the bliss that shall inhabit thee! 



He who plants a tree 



He plants peace. 

 Under its green curtains jargons cease; 

 Leaf and zephyr murmur soothingly; 



Shadows soft with sleep 



Down tired eyelids creep. 



Balm of slumber deep. 

 Never hast thou dreamed, thou blessed tree, 

 Of the benediction thou shalt be. 



He who plants a tree 

 He plants youth; 

 Vigor won for centuries, in sooth; 

 Life of time, that hints eternit}! 



Boughs their strength uprear, 



New shoots every year 



On old growths appear. 

 Thou shalt teach the ages, sturdy tree, 

 Youth of soul is immortality. 



He who plants a tree 

 He plants love. 

 Tents of coolness spreading out above 

 Wayfarers he may not live to see. 



Gifts that grow are best; 



Hands that bless are blest; 



Plant: Life does the rest! 

 Heaven and earth help him who plants a tree, 

 And his work its own reward shall be. 



Lucy Larcom 



Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company 



