Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WILD CRAB-APPLE TREE, by ADELIA FRASER HARDY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WILD CRAB-APPLE TREE, by                    
First Line: It grew near the alley by an old fence
Last Line: Twill ne'er be cut down.
Subject(s): Trees


It grew near the alley by an old fence,
Just sprouted out humbly without any pretense
Of beauty or grandeur -- 'twas plain to see,
Like an avenger from the wildwood -- a tree.
Neither elf nor wood sprite would care to live here,
'Twas covered with thorns which could pierce like a spear.
Man, on this wild thing was prone to frown.
"'Tis a menace," he said, "I shall cut it down."
Independent it grew, wide but not tall,
Spreading out claw-like branches,
But that was not all.
This wild thing was covered with foliage rare --
Thorns seemingly smothered as though never there.
In springtime a sweet perfume
From something unseen;
The foliage that covered this wild thing was green.
A beautiful pink beginning to show,
A bud now full-blown and all aglow
Waved and nodded in beauty supreme.
Man gazed on its beauty as one in a dream.
Summer came, blossoms flew away,
Clusters of apples now held full sway.
Autumn came, leaves turning to brown --
All colors and shades, and some falling down.
Winter with ice and snow;
The poor thing shuddered and seemed to know.
Even now majestic and grand
It holds up its head and thorns to command;
And when the cold winds began to blow --
Caught the first flakes of the beautiful snow.
Happy children from far and near
As they passed by, paused to cheer
The beautiful tree all covered with snow.
A garment of purity, not a thorn did it show.
Beautiful birds happy and free
Sang their sweetest songs
While perched in this tree.
Everlasting friendship, eternal love,
Springtime, Summertime, Autumn -- God's love.
No more on this wild thing
Does man ever frown,
Though it grows near the alley
'Twill ne'er be cut down.





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