12 
TA Ee ASU DUB Om BU a ea 
man to inspire his mind and refresh his soul. 
Still in evidence in remote areas of America are 
poetic glimpses of our original virgin beauty which 
inspired in ““My Country ’Tis of Thee’’ the verse, “‘I 
love thy rock and rills, thy woods and templed hills’’— 
still challenging us to preserve “‘islands’’ of peace and 
calm that delight the soul and inspire the mind to the 
finer things of life. 
Beautiful gardens full of lovely flowers and magni- 
ficent trees are inspirations to all who love natural 
beauty. One great poet has this to say about love in 
regard to trees, flowers and wildlife: 
“In all the crowded universe 
There is but one stupendous word— ‘Love”’ 
There ts no tree that rears tts crest, 
No fern or flower that cleaves the sod 
Nor bird that sings above tts nest, 
But tries to speak this word of God.” 
Yes, flowers, trees, grass, wilderness and all wild 
things—shy, modest, silent—speak the language of 
love that lifts, comforts and gives us that feeling of 
Heaven on earth that is love. 
Man’s nature requires the inspiration of natural 
beauty to feed his soul, renew his mind and enlarge 
his spirit. 
Natural beauty is eternal. It must be preserved 
wherever it exists. Cities, highways, parking areas can 
be built anywhere but natural beauty must be preserved 
where we find it, ‘‘to knit up the raveled sleeve of care.”’ 
Muslih-ud-Din Saadi, a Persian poet who lived 
from 1184 to 1291. gave us this “admonitionmea 
“Gulistan”’: 
“Tf of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, 
And from thy slender store 
two loaves alone to thee are left, 
Sell one, and with the dole 
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.’ 
Yes, if life would be complete, beautiful and satisfying 
we must take time out of the ordinary routine of 
things to cultivate an appreciation for beauty. 
