The Aspen
Reading edition
Lonely aspen rising high Straight and true you greet the eye. Bent by every passing breeze Weakest, slenderest of trees; Yet what grace, what stateliness Every leaf and twig express! Brittle limbs of little worth, How from out thy meager girth May we fashion wood for use? What may be the frail excuse For thy lovely shaft of green On the verge of my ravine? But the aspen, wise and shy Never deigned to make reply. Swayed to every wandering air Shed its beauty everywhere, Till its friendly dignity Made its message clear to me. God designed thee, aspen slim Who am I to question Him? In the mighty scheme of things You and I play minor strings Yet your part has been well done Mine is only half begun!
