Page:Negro poets and their poems (IA negropoetstheirp00kerl).pdf/283

Rh Dig deep and let the long roots hold A firm embrace within the mold: And may your life in truth unfold A strong and trusty oak. Come, let us plant a supple ash, A tree to bend when others crash, And stand when vivid lightnings flash, And clouds pour down the rain: So while we plant we’ll learn to bend And hold our ground, tho’ storms descend Throughout our life, and lightnings rend, And clouds pour down the rain. Then let us plant these trees between A graceful spruce in living green, That e’en in winter days is seen Like changeless springtime still: And so may you as years go by, And winter comes and snowflakes fly, Be yet in heart, and mind and eye, Like changeless springtime still. Bring out the spade and hie away, And let us plant a tree today While skies are bright and hearts are gay, And April breezes blow. In other days ’neath April skies, Around this tree may joyful cries And happy children’s songs arise, While April breezes blow. —D. T. Williamson.