Trees

(For Mrs. Henry Mills Alden)
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

About Joyce Kilmer

American poet and journalist killed in WWI. His poem "Trees" remains one of the most widely known American poems.

More poems by Joyce Kilmer

View all Joyce Kilmer poems →

More Nature & Seasons poems

View all Nature & Seasons poems →