My Hickory Fire

Oh, helplofls body of hickory tree, TVhat do I buru, in burning thee ! Summtírs of sun, winters of snow, Spriugá full of Kap's rosiatlees ílow ; AU piwt year'u joya of gurnered fruita r All thia year's purposcd budand skoots; Secreta of flelda ui' upper air, Secret which stars an planeta hfire ; Iñght of euch siniles us broad skie fting; Öongs of auoh tunes as wild wuift inff Ï Voices wliicli told whero gay birds dwlt ; Voicea which told where lovers kiit-lt ; Oh, Btrong.vbito bwlyof hlakorj tzee ÏÏOW daro I burn all these, La tlieo Ï But I toobring, as to ft pyro, Sweet tbingato feod my fuueral ftre : Memories waked by thy deepsptrll; Faces oí ienis ond hopea which íeil ; Fucos of dariinKS long niñee dead- bmilen th;t tliey smiied, and woids tbat they said ; Zike living shapoa tbey come and yo, Lit by the monnting üamus red glow. But nacredest of all. O, tree, Thou haet tho hour my lovc kvo me. Only thy rythmic silence otirred Whüo liie low-whispered toru?s I licard; By thy lust gleaai ol" llickering light I saw his cheek turn red fruía white ; O cold (fray ashea, siüe by side WitL your, that houc's uwect pulaes diod t Bul tliou, brave tree, how do I know That througb theso fires thou dost not go( As Ín oíd dnys tho martyrs went Through Uro which was a sacrament I How do I know thou dost not wait In longing for tho noxt catate .' - Estáte of tigher, uublcr place Wliose Bhftpoa no ir.un ctm use or trace. Ebw do I know, if 1 could reach ïhe secret meauing of thy speech, But I thy song of praiae shuuld hear, Ringing triumphaut loud and cíeitr, - The waitiag angela could discern, And tokon of thy Hcavon learn Ï Oh, gl:wl, freed soul of hickory troe, "W"nívte-i tiïiue eteniity, Be thou with theo that hour's dear name. Made uure. like thee. by riWa of ñame ! íkPictptttfgtts