The Equal of a Tree*

eThe Equal of a Treef

 

An heir to life!

An heir to death!

The equal of a tree!

 

I am that thing

Of time, condemned!

 

I am that thing to me!

 

So, I take counsel in the blooms -

And heed what things they tell

Because I scarcely

Make a case

 

For heaven,

 

Here,

 

Or hell!

 

And all the flowers suffer me

And flatter homely verse,

 

For though I am

An act of God,

 

I share the garden’s curse

 

The blossoms come and thither go,

Like all things that I dream -

 

So, I take counsel in the blooms,

While all our petals gleam.