A Garden Friend
O comrade tree, perhaps alive as I—
One process lacking of this mortal clay—
Give me your constant outlook to the sky,
The courtesy and cheer that fill your day.
Your noble gift of perfect service teach;
Your wisdom in the wild storm softly bent
Aware ’twill end; your patience that can reach
Across the years from clod to firmament.
Catherine Markham (Mrs. Edwin Markham)