Blessing Mrs. Larkin

A blessing on you, Mrs. Larkin, for planting my trees!

May I, in turn, doctor this cherry or this peach

Through drought and winter killings! Of these many seedlings

May one survive that other eyes may drink the green!

I know, of course, you never thought to plant for me.

Mrs. Larkin, we do not know our comings and our goings,

But our times are a winter requiring all the virtues of trees.

I needed a lesson or two, in giving, from the maples,

-Sweet sap uprising, shade, the flaming bouquet in fall,

Boughs cast for any to gather, on frosty nights-whatever

The maple gives, the maple would give to all. But more,

I needed a lesson, in hoping, from the hemlocks,

Wearing their green all year, and pointing straight to the skies.

Where will we match-for skyward reach-the clan of pines?

Mrs. Larkin, I do not know your comings and your goings,

Nor mine-but should a wish have power, you dwell serene.

And may I also live beyond my poor intentions,

And see them branching, turning into trees!

Margery Mansfield