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Poem
January 8, 1920
The Daily Gate City And Constitution Democrat
Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa
What is this article about?
A reflective narrative poem about a child given an elm tree, who delays planting it in the perfect spot, allowing it to grow by the cottage door, where it now offers shade and refuge to the aged narrator and his family.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
TODAY'S BIT OF VERSE
THE TREE OF MY LIFE.
When I was yet but a child, the gardener gave me a tree,
A little slim elm, to be set wherever seemed good to me.
What a wonderful thing it seemed! With its lace-edged leaves uncurled,
And its span-long stem, that should grow to the grandest tree in the world!
So I searched all the garden—'round, and out over field and hill,
But not a spot could I find that suited my wayward will.
I would have it bowered in the grove, in a close and quiet vale;
I would rear it aloft on the height, to wrestle with the gale.
Then I said, "I will cover its roots with a little earth by the door,
And there it shall live and wait, while I search for a place once more."
But still I could never find it, the place for my wonderful tree.
And it waited and grew by the door, while the years passed over me;
Till suddenly, one fine day, I saw it was grown too tall,
And its roots gone down too deep, to be ever moved at all.
So here it is growing still, by the lowly cottage door:
Never so grand and tall as I dreamed it would be of yore;
But it shelters a tired old man in its sunshine-dappled shade,
The children's pattering feet round its knotty knees have played,
Dear singing birds in a storm sometimes take refuge there,
And the stars through its silent boughs shine gloriously fair.
Edward Rowland Sill.
THE TREE OF MY LIFE.
When I was yet but a child, the gardener gave me a tree,
A little slim elm, to be set wherever seemed good to me.
What a wonderful thing it seemed! With its lace-edged leaves uncurled,
And its span-long stem, that should grow to the grandest tree in the world!
So I searched all the garden—'round, and out over field and hill,
But not a spot could I find that suited my wayward will.
I would have it bowered in the grove, in a close and quiet vale;
I would rear it aloft on the height, to wrestle with the gale.
Then I said, "I will cover its roots with a little earth by the door,
And there it shall live and wait, while I search for a place once more."
But still I could never find it, the place for my wonderful tree.
And it waited and grew by the door, while the years passed over me;
Till suddenly, one fine day, I saw it was grown too tall,
And its roots gone down too deep, to be ever moved at all.
So here it is growing still, by the lowly cottage door:
Never so grand and tall as I dreamed it would be of yore;
But it shelters a tired old man in its sunshine-dappled shade,
The children's pattering feet round its knotty knees have played,
Dear singing birds in a storm sometimes take refuge there,
And the stars through its silent boughs shine gloriously fair.
Edward Rowland Sill.
What sub-type of article is it?
Narrative Verse
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Tree Of Life
Childhood Planting
Life Reflection
Growth By Door
Old Age Shelter
What entities or persons were involved?
Edward Rowland Sill
Poem Details
Title
The Tree Of My Life.
Author
Edward Rowland Sill
Subject
Reflection On Life Choices Through The Metaphor Of A Tree
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
When I Was Yet But A Child, The Gardener Gave Me A Tree,
A Little Slim Elm, To Be Set Wherever Seemed Good To Me.
So Here It Is Growing Still, By The Lowly Cottage Door:
Never So Grand And Tall As I Dreamed It Would Be Of Yore;
But It Shelters A Tired Old Man In Its Sunshine Dappled Shade,