Nature and Elements

I never knew how soothing trees are—many trees and patches of open sunlight, and tree presences; it is almost like having another being.

I never knew how soothing trees are—many trees and patches of open sunlight, and tree presences; it is almost like having another being.

A modest garden . . . contains, for those who know how to look and to wait, more instruction than a library.

I never saw a wild thing Sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough Without ever having felt sorry for itself.

The living self has one purpose only: to come into its own fullness of being, as a tree comes into full blossom, or a bird into spring beauty, or a tiger into luster.

The woods decay, the woods decay and fall,

 

Alone and warming his five wits,

 

The moan of doves in immemorial elms,

 

The moan of doves in immemorial elms,

 

Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,

 

Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,

 

Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,

 

Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;

 

Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;

 

Like summer tempest came her tears.

 

Sweet and low, sweet and low,

 

Sweet and low, sweet and low,

 

Come into the garden, Maud,

 

Come into the garden, Maud,

 

‘Tirra lirra,’ by the river

 

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

 

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

 

On either side the river lie

 

Below the thunders of the upper deep;