THE LONELY GARDEN EDGAR A. GUEST

I WONDER what the trees will say, The trees that used to share his play, An’ knew him as the little lad Who used to wander with his dad. They’ve watched him grow from year to year Since first the good Lord sent him here; This shag-bark hick’ry, many a time, The little fellow tried t’ climb; An’ never a spring has come but he Has called upon his favorite tree. I wonder what they all will say When they are told he’s marched away. I wonder what the birds will say, The swallow an’ the chatterin’ jay, The robin an’ the kildeer, too. For every one o’ them he knew, An’ every one o’ them knew him, Waited each spring t’ tell him all They’d done and seen since ’way last fall. He was the first to greet ’em here An’ hoppin’ there from limb t’ limb, As they returned from year t’ year; An’ now I wonder what they’ll say When they are told he’s marched away. I wonder how the roses there Will get along without his care, An’ how the lilac bush will face The loneliness about th’ place, For ev’ry spring an’ summer he Has been the chum o’ plant an’ tree, An’ every livin’ thing has known A comradeship that’s finer grown By havin’ him from year t’ year. Now very soon they’ll all be here, An’ I’m wonderin’ what they’ll say When they find out he’s marched away.