'Twas thirty years ago

'Twas 30 years ago
In a rocky pasture field
Sprang an infant apple grove
low planted & concealed —
I sing the wild apple theme enough for me.
I love the racy fruit & I reverence the tree —
In that small family there was one that
loved the sun — which sent its root down deep/ —
& took fast hold on life/ — while the others
went to sleep
In 2 years time 't had thus
Reached the level of the rocks —
Admired the stretching world
Nor feared the wandering flocks —
But at this tender age
Its sufferings began —
There came a browsing ox
And cut it down a span.

Its heart did bleed all day
& When the birds were hushed —