Poems and Trees
Poems and Trees
By Orson F. Whitney
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.–KILMER.
Are poets, then, but clownish tools,
And poesy the sport of fools?
Surely you did not mean it, friend.
Forgive me, if your thought I mend.
The God who made that lovely tree
Made poets, too, and poetry.
Who fashioned the majestic oak,
Through Shakespeare and through Wordsworth spoke.
Who planted the uptowering pine,
Gave form and force to Milton’s line.
Folly’s creations! Are they so?
A million voices answer, No.
And none among them will decree
Kilmer was less than Kilmer’s tree.
(1926)
A beautiful contribution from Whitney! I love it.
Comment by JB — September 8, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
Wowza — I love this. A defense of poetry! Thanks, Brother Orson.
Comment by David Y. — September 8, 2011 @ 3:09 pm